日本能乐面具 - 木 - 備中神乐面具 (没有保留价)

bitchū kagura mask – elderly deity (associated with kushiinada-hime legend)
dated shōwa 35 (1960) – signed and sealed

historical background

this mask represents the elderly father of kushiinada-hime, who appears in the kojiki in the famous myth of yamata no orochi (the eight-headed serpent). together with his wife tenazuchi-no-mikoto, he is part of the legendary episode in which susanoo-no-mikoto defeats the great serpent.

i n bitchū kagura (western okayama region), this character appears as an aged father figure. unlike the serene and refined old man masks of nō theatre, bitchū kagura masks emphasize dramatic visibility and expressive exaggeration suitable for dynamic stage performance.

stylistic characteristics

three horizontal forehead wrinkles with a central carved groove – symbolic of the “okina” (elder) type

large, exaggerated nose

half-closed eyes designed for stage visibility

two missing upper front teeth – a conventional signifier of advanced age

white eyebrows, moustache, and long chin beard (animal hair implantation)

red cord and ear fittings indicating functional performance use

this is not a quiet nō-style elder mask, but rather a powerful regional kagura interpretation of the aged deity figure.

material and technique

material: carved wood

construction: single-block carving (ichiboku-zukuri)
pigmentation: natural flesh-tone base; lips in dark red; teeth finished in gofun (white shell pigment)
eyebrows and beard: horsehair or animal hair implantation (showing natural age-related dryness)
the structure clearly indicates it was made for actual performance use.
date and inscription

an ink inscription on the reverse reads:
“shōwa 35 (1960)”

a red seal and signature in cursive script are also present, likely belonging to a kagura preservation society or a professional mask carver.

condition

good to very good condition.

no cracks or insect damage
natural surface wear consistent with age and use
beard shows minor disorder and partial loss, appropriate for age

dimensions / weight

length: 19 cm
width: 14 cm
depth: 8 cm
weight: 150 g

shipping

shipped via dhl or japan post.

please note: import duties or customs fees may apply depending on your country.
please bid with this understanding.