Noh面具 - 手工雕刻面具——Ko-omote，作者：中村一刻（Ikkoku Nakamura）署名

【Important notes】

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【Product details】

An elegant Japanese wooden Noh mask depicting Ko-omote (小面), a beautiful young woman, hand-carved by Ikkoku Nakamura (中村一刻), a skilled sculptor renowned for his traditional Hida Ichii-Ittobori woodcarving. Dating from the Shōwa period, this finely crafted mask bears the artist's carved signature "一刻" (Ikkoku) on the reverse.

Hand-carved from solid Japanese yew wood (ichii) using the traditional Ichii-Ittobori technique of Hida Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, the mask is left unpainted to reveal the exceptionally beautiful natural grain. The intricate, flowing growth rings form delicate patterns across the forehead, cheeks and chin, complemented by a rich reddish-brown patina developed over time. The gracefully carved hairline, narrow eyes, gently smiling lips and carefully detailed teeth demonstrate the artist's precision and craftsmanship.

Ko-omote is one of the most recognisable masks in classical Japanese Noh theatre, representing the idealised beauty, innocence and refinement of a young woman. Its subtle expression changes depending on the angle of the mask: tilting upwards creates a brighter, smiling appearance, while tilting downwards conveys a more melancholic expression.

Ikkoku Nakamura is a Japanese woodcarver associated with the traditional Ichii-Ittobori craftsmanship of Hida Takayama, particularly known for his expressive wooden masks and figure carvings. This regional technique is celebrated for its precise chisel work and appreciation of the natural beauty of Japanese yew wood.

The mask is in good vintage condition, with some light scuffs, minor blemishes and natural signs of age. A purple braided silk cord is included, with slight fading in one spot. Please review all photos for the 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 21.3 cm W 13.2 cm D 7.5 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!