Netsuke: "kyogen" mask "okame"

Description

ivory, black paint, laughing well-fed face, signature on reverse;
many mask netsuke derive from the classic “no” and “kyogen” theatre mask types. Present one is a depiction of the shintoistic goddess “okame” or “uzume” who is considered to be the Goddess of mirth. She is the female half of a traditional Japanese “kyogen” theatre pair and is frequently seen in Japanese art in general. “Kyogen” was performed as an intermission of sorts between “no” acts. However, its content is not at all similar to the formal, symbolic, and solemn “no” theatre. “Kyogen” is a comic form, and its primary goal is to make its audience laugh.