Theatre mask
Category
Wooden objects
Date
Unknown
Materials
Wood
Measurements
180 x 150 mm
Place of origin
Japan
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1335631
Caption
Noh (‘skill or talent’ in Sino-Japanese), is a form of classical Japanese musical drama that has been performed since the 14th century. The characters in Noh theatre are all male and the performances are slow and poetic with the actor wearing rich, heavy costumes. The performances can last for several hours and because the masks are worn throughout, it is important that they are carved from very light wood such as Japanese cypress. The masks depict characters such as demons, spirits and male and female humans.
Summary
Wooden 'Noh' theatre mask. Shaped with wide cheeks and dimples. Painted white with black painted hair and eyebrows and red lips. Reverse has wooden bite.
Provenance
Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.