Mask - Namahage Masks (Red and Blue Pair) by Ishikawa Taikou (石川泰行)

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【Product details】

These striking hand-carved wooden masks represent Namahage, the iconic deities of Akita Prefecture’s New Year’s Eve ritual, designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of Japan.

The Namahage tradition involves masked figures roaming through villages on New Year’s Eve, calling out phrases such as “Are there any bad children?” or “Are there any lazy people?” They enter homes, frightening children and admonishing laziness, while the head of the household explains the family’s conduct over the past year. Afterward, the Namahage are appeased with food and sake before departing, symbolising purification and renewal for the coming year.

The red mask represents Jiji Namahage (the elder male demon), while the blue mask represents Baba Namahage (the elder female demon). Both masks are carved from paulownia wood, a material favoured for its lightness and workability. Soft when freshly cut and hardening as it dries, paulownia is highly suitable for mask carving, producing pieces that are visually powerful yet surprisingly lightweight.

The masks were crafted by Ishikawa Taikou, a veteran artisan who has dedicated over 30 years to producing Namahage masks. His entry into this craft began when he created masks for tourist commemorative photography, later establishing himself as one of the leading makers of this unique folk art.

Both masks bear the artist’s branding mark on the reverse. The set comes with its original leaflet explaining the cultural significance of Namahage and the artisan’s background.

Minor blemishes are present, but overall the masks remain in good used condition. Please refer to the photos for details.

Dimensions: approx. H 34 cm W 19.5 cm D 14 cm

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Thank you for your interest, and happy bidding!