Mask of the "No" theatre

Description

light-weighted wood, white, red and black paint, male head with prominent arching brows and chin, open mouth, painted delicate hair, slightly dam., paint rubbed off in some areas;
the “no” mask are called “no-men” or “omote” (= “face”). The traditional “no-theatre” came into being in the 14th century. In the course of time about 250 different mask types for the depiction of different characters have been developed. There are masks for women and men, monsters and deamons, as well as masks for divinities. In most cases they were carved from the wood of japanese cypress. Traditional themes were taken from japanese or chinese mythology or literature.