mask of male face with large nose, round eyes with carved out eyeholes; narrow grin with top teeth visible; wrinkles in forehead; holes drilled into eyebrows, moustache, and chin possibly once for hair

Noh Mask of a Man, 16th century

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Noh masks were typically made of cypress wood, primed with gofun (shell white) and animal glue, and colored with mineral pigment. They developed out of gigaku, a type of masked dance with mime that originated in Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea (57 BC to 668 AD). During Noh performances, the actor in the principal role known as shite wears masks to play supernatural beings, women, and the elderly. Because Noh actors were limited to men until around 1900, those playing a young man, usually the supporting character called waki, went maskless. As the masks do not move, actors control the expression of each mask on stage by skillfully tilting their heads to evoke emotion through light and shadow.

Details
Title
Noh Mask of a Man
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2015.79.269
Catalogue Raisonne
Murase, Art through a Lifetime, no. 570
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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mask of male face with large nose, round eyes with carved out eyeholes; narrow grin with top teeth visible; wrinkles in forehead; holes drilled into eyebrows, moustache, and chin possibly once for hair