マスク - 狂言面「Otogoze」 – Otafuku / Okame – 署名入り・日付入り

【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 striking hand-carved Japanese Kyogen mask representing Oto (乙), also known as Otogoze (乙御前), a traditional female character mask associated with the familiar Otafuku and Okame type. Oto is distinguished by her full rounded cheeks, dimples and humorous, cheerful expression. The type has long been used in Kyogen theatre, where its strongly characterised features create an immediately recognisable comic presence.

Carved from natural wood and finished with a pale painted ground, the mask has finely drawn black hair, expressive narrow eyes, pronounced cheeks and a smiling mouth with blackened teeth. The reverse retains the carved surface of the wood beneath a deep reddish-brown lacquer finish.

The reverse is inscribed “乙” (Oto), identifying the mask type, together with “戊申” (Tsuchinoe-Saru), a traditional cyclical date. Considering the style, materials and age of the mask, this most plausibly corresponds to 1968 (Showa 43). A further maker’s signature or mark is present on the reverse, although the artist has not been conclusively identified.

Reasonable vintage condition with age-related light soiling, scuffs, small marks, minor surface wear and natural mellowing of the painted finish. There are small dents and scratches on the sides, together with some wear to the lacquer. Please check the photographs for condition.

※Important: For Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Monaco and Portugal, orders of €150 or less cannot currently be shipped due to the new €3 customs duty/IOSS issue. There is no confirmed resumption date. Please do not bid unless you are prepared to wait. Orders over €150 are not affected.

Dimensions: approx. H 21.2 cm W 15.4 cm D 6 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!