Netsuke: "no"- mask, probably "shunkan" type ·  Japan · ID: 3039286

Description

wood (boxtree?), suffering facial expression, haggard face with sunken cheeks and with the corners of the mouth pulled downwards, incised signature on the backside, beautiful used patina;
this mask type was used in the “no” theatre play “shunkan”. He was a buddhist priest who was accused of being the mastermind of a plot against the ruling Taira clan in the middle of the 12th century. Banished to a deserted island, he became deeply depressed and starved to death.

Comparing literature

Bushell, Raymond, Netsuke Masks, Tokyo, New York, San Francisco 1985, pl. 84