【Important notes】 ・International buyers are responsible for any import duties, taxes, and charges not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please note that VAT paid to Catawiki is separate from and does not cover import duties or customs charges in your country. You may still be required to pay additional fees upon delivery, as determined by your local customs authorities. ・Shipping Details: Most items are shipped via Japan Post EMS (airmail). If you are in a hurry, we can arrange shipping via DHL or FedEx upon request for an additional fee. ・Damage and Issues: If you receive a damaged item, please contact us immediately. The damage must be reported to your local post office within 7 days of delivery, and promptly to us and Catawiki support. 【Product details】 A refined Japanese Noh mask depicting Ko-omote, made between around 1980 and 2000 by the Noh mask carver Jinki Komatsu. Ko-omote is one of the most elegant and recognisable female masks in Noh theatre, representing a maiden of around sixteen or seventeen years old. The blackened teeth, known as ohaguro, symbolise adulthood. The expression of Ko-omote is deliberately ambiguous: it can appear gently smiling, yet also faintly sorrowful, depending on the viewer. When worn by a performer on stage, even a slight upward or downward tilt of the mask can change its expression, making it appear brighter, softer, more solemn or more subdued. Jinki Komatsu (小松甚喜) is a noted mask carver based in Sendai. After leaving his former career, he pursued the art of Noh mask carving and studied under the Noh mask master Akio Yoshida. Through long training, he inherited advanced traditional techniques and produced a wide range of finely carved masks. This mask is carved from wood and finished with gofun, a traditional white pigment made from powdered shells. The soft white face, delicately painted eyebrows, narrow eyes, red lips and black hairline create the restrained beauty typical of Ko-omote masks. The inside of the mask bears the artist’s mark, and the mask is fitted with cords. A fabric mask bag is also included. Good vintage condition with light wear, minor blemishes, small marks and slight age-related surface wear. The mask bag has light creases from storage. Please refer to the photos for details. ※Please be sure to read the【Important Notes】section below before purchasing. Dimensions: approx. H 21.2 cm W 13.6 cm D 6.5 cm ・Please make sure to review all the provided information, description, and images before placing your bid. The items shown in the photos are what is included in the lot. If anything shown as included is missing upon delivery, please contact us immediately. ・Some display stands or other items in the photos may be photography props and are not included in the sale. Please read the description carefully to confirm what is included. ・We make every effort to accurately represent the product's colors and textures in our photos. However, due to differences in monitors and device displays, as well as photographic conditions, slight color variations between the photos and the actual product may occur. We ask for your understanding in advance. Thank you for your interest, and happy bidding!