Mask - Wood - Noh Masks by Writers (没有保留价)

This is a Noh mask, "Okina."

Artist: Shigeru Hosoda (1912-1983)

Born in 1912 in Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, into a family of woodcarvers, his family had been engaged in shrine wood carving for generations.

In 1933, he became a disciple of Kitazawa Koun, a renowned Noh master in the Kansai region, belonging to the Osaka Kitazawa school. He specialized in Noh mask carving (men-ta), particularly the Okina-type masks, such as the White-style Okina and the Black-style Sanbansou.

In 1955, he founded the Hosoda Noh Workshop in Fushimi, Kyoto, and began creating independently.

His works were primarily used for traditional Shinto ceremonies such as the New Year's festival and Sanbansou at shrines in the Kansai region, rather than being commissioned by national museums or renowned artists.

The inside of the mask bears an inscription in ink on washi paper: "Okina" (mask name), "Hosoda" (artist's signature), and a red seal, clearly indicating its lineage.

Material and Structure: The main body is hand-carved from cypress wood, with a lining of linen and a black lacquer base (the texture of the black linen is visible on the back of the second image; this is the traditional Noh mask anti-crack technique called "cloth lining"). The forehead and beard are made of natural linen and horsehair. The mouth is a movable, segmented structure that opens and closes with the face when worn, showcasing professional performance-grade craftsmanship.

Dimensions: Length 18.5cm, Width 15.5cm