East Asia, Japan, Showa Period, mid-20th century CE. A hand-made lacquered wood and vegetal fiber noh theater mask of the old man from the "Okina" ritual performance. His expressive countenance displays smiling, wrinkled eyes beneath a deeply furrowed brow, a broad nose, and sagging cheeks. The eyebrows, mustache and beard are made from tassels of white fibers. The Okina mask is a symbol of wisdom and longevity, and cord on the verso allows the visage to be strapped to the head of the wearer. Size: 8" L x 6" W (20.3 cm x 15.2 cm)

This mask is worn by the title role in the Noh play "Okina," which is one of the oldest pieces in the Noh repertoire. According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, "Among all Noh masks, the Okina (old man) mask is considered particularly sacred and has been at times treated as the embodiment of god, bringing longevity and prosperity to families."

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#173650

Wear to lacquer on high pointed areas as shown. Some active shedding to fibers. Overall great condition with Japanese paper label on interior.