Noh-Maske - Töpferware - Traditionelle Kunstwerke (Ohne mindestpreis)

五松園窯 Goshouengama（1930年創業）
This is a decorative Noh mask (kazari-men) depicting the Ko-omote / Waka-onna (young woman) type, attributed to Goshouengama (五松園窯), a celebrated traditional ceramics kiln in Tobe, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.
The Ko-omote and Waka-onna are among the most beloved female mask types in classical Noh theater. The Ko-omote portrays the innocent beauty of youth, while the Waka-onna expresses a subtler, more mature feminine grace. Together, they embody the ideal of feminine beauty as understood in Japanese classical aesthetics.
This piece was almost certainly produced by the 2nd-generation master Sakai Yoshito (酒井芳人), who — in addition to his renowned work in Tobe-yaki porcelain — was also known to have crafted decorative Noh masks, a rare and remarkable extension of his sculptural skills. Sakai Yoshito was designated as a holder of the Tobe Town Intangible Cultural Heritage for his rokuro (wheel-throwing) and choukoku (sculptural) techniques.
The mask features the characteristic delicate craftsmanship of a master ceramicist: softly rounded cheeks, gently downcast eyes, and a refined, slightly upturned mouth, rendered with polychrome coloring in the traditional manner. It is a rare example of decorative mask-making by a Tobe-yaki ceramics master, making it a uniquely collectible piece at the intersection of two great Japanese craft traditions.

Size
Height: 6 cm
Width: 11 cm
Depth: 18 cm

Condition
The mask shows some chips, minor paint loss, and surface soiling in areas; please refer to the provided photographs for full details.

Artist Profile
五松園窯 Goshouengama（1930年創業）
Goshouengama (五松園窯 / Goshouen Kiln) is one of Tobe's oldest and most respected Tobe-yaki (Tobe ware) kilns, founded in 1930 by Sakai Joun (酒井如雲) in Gohonmatsu, Tobe-cho, Ehime Prefecture. Tobe-yaki is a designated Japanese Traditional Craft, celebrated for its thick, sturdy white porcelain with hand-painted cobalt blue designs.
The 2nd-generation master, Sakai Yoshito (酒井芳人, b. 1931), was one of the most distinguished figures in Tobe-yaki history. He was designated a holder of Tobe Town's Intangible Cultural Heritage for his exceptional rokuro (wheel-throwing) and sculptural techniques, and recognized as a "Gendai no Meiko" (Contemporary Master Craftsman). Beyond ceramics, Sakai Yoshito was also known to have produced decorative Noh masks, a testament to his extraordinary sculptural talent. He passed away approximately two years before 2022.
The kiln continues today under the 3rd and 4th generations — Ninomiya Yoshifumi, a certified Traditional Craftsman and Tobe Town Intangible Cultural Heritage holder, and his son Ninomiya Ryota — maintaining the kiln's commitment to handcrafted, hand-painted wares.

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