This is a vintage Japanese Noh mask depicting "Namanari" (生成), a distinctive mask representing a woman in the process of transforming into a demon. The mask appears to be made of carved wood with painted decoration and features a highly expressive face with short horns beginning to emerge from the forehead, striking golden eyes, and a wide-open mouth showing black and gold teeth. The combination of the small horns, intense golden eyes, exposed teeth, and dramatic expression gives the mask a powerful and unsettling presence. Namanari – The Beginning of Transformation "Namanari" (生成, なまなり) represents a woman who has begun to transform into an oni or demon as a result of intense jealousy, resentment, and emotional suffering. It is traditionally understood as an earlier stage in the progression toward the better-known Hannya mask. In Noh mask traditions, Namanari has relatively short or newly emerging horns, while the Hannya represents a more advanced transformation. This makes the Namanari particularly interesting from an artistic and symbolic point of view: the face still retains elements of a human woman, while the emerging horns, golden eyes, and exposed teeth reveal the transformation into something supernatural. The mask is therefore not simply intended to represent a frightening creature. It expresses the emotional transformation from human suffering and jealousy into supernatural rage. Details and Decoration The face is finished in a warm flesh-coloured tone, contrasted with the glossy black hair and carefully painted facial details. The eyes are surrounded by gold-coloured decoration, while the teeth are painted black with gold detailing. The mouth is outlined in deep red, creating a particularly striking contrast with the pale face. The small horns are also finished in gold, emphasizing the transitional nature of the Namanari character. The painted black lines representing the hair are particularly visible across the forehead, temples, cheeks, and sides of the face. Inscription and Date An important feature of this mask is the inscription carved into the reverse. The reverse is inscribed with: "生成" – Namanari "昭和壬寅" – Showa, Year of the Tiger, corresponding to 1962 "盛" – a single-character inscription or signature The inscription "生成" corresponds directly with the type of mask depicted. The date inscription "昭和壬寅" is particularly interesting because 壬寅 (Jin'in / Mizunoe-Tora) corresponds to 1962, Showa 37. The single character "盛" is present on the reverse. Its exact meaning or reading cannot be confirmed from the inscription alone, so it is presented here simply as a single-character inscription rather than attributing the mask to a specific artist. Reverse The reverse shows the carved wooden construction of the mask, with visible wood grain and tool marks. Two circular openings are present around the eye area, while the mouth opening allows the wearer to see through the mask. The reverse has a warm reddish-brown wooden appearance, contrasting strongly with the painted exterior. The carved inscription is clearly visible and is an especially interesting feature for collectors of Japanese masks and traditional craftsmanship. A Distinctive Example of Japanese Noh Art This Namanari mask is an appealing example of Japanese traditional mask art, combining expressive carving, dramatic polychrome decoration, and an identifiable date inscription. The combination of the emerging horns, golden eyes, open mouth, black-and-gold teeth, and reddish-brown wooden reverse gives the mask a particularly strong visual character. For collectors of Japanese antiques, Noh theatre, Japanese masks, traditional wood carving, and Japanese cultural objects, this is an intriguing piece with both decorative and historical appeal. Height 19.7 cm Width 13.2 cm Depth 5.4 cm Weight 150 g Condition: The condition is generally good. There is no major damage. However, as it is a used item, there are some damages such as scratches, scuffs, dullness, peeling, fading, wear and tear, dents, discoloration. It has been stored at home. There are many photos, so please take a look. Atention: The items listed for sale are all used collectibles. Please consider them to have signs of aging, such as stains, scratches, scuffs, tears, discoloration, fading, fraying, and changes in thread color. We will post as many photos as possible to make it easy to understand. As these are old items, we appreciate your understanding before making a purchase. Shipping: The lot will be carefully packaged and shipped from Japan. We will use either DHL or FedEx for a safe and secure transportation. It usually takes about 2-3 weeks for delivery, and the package will be shipped with a tracking number. Import duties, taxes, VAT, and any other charges are not included in the item price and shipping cost. Please check your country's import duties before bidding. 081921560831