Theatre mask "nô" of a beautiful young maiden "zo-onna" ·  Japan · ID: 3033786

Description

light-weighted wood, the face painted in creme-white, coiffure, eyes and teeth accentuated in black, the mouth dyed in red, the facial features reduced to the essential, displaying dollish features, drilled holes for attachment, min. abrasion, traces of the chisel recognizable on the reverse side;
the “nô”-theatre evolved in the 14th century from the antique tradition of religious dances and burlesque plays, which used to be performed in temples. In the course of the time two independant forms developed: the severe “nô” drama and the humorous “kyogen” burlesque. The primary concern of the “nô” art is to convey “yûgen” to the audience, which means as much as “beauty”, “depth of sentiment”, “gracefulness”, “elegance”. It is essential to convey characters and events through minimal gestures and movements, but not to play in a realistic manner.

Comparing literature

Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Masken der Welt, München 1999, ill. 215 & p. 267 Fahr-Becker, Gabriele (Hg.), Ostasiatische Kunst, Bd. 2, Köln 1998, p. 303