Description
Two wooden noh masks – Jo 尉面 and Yoroboshi 弱法師 – Japan – Mid 20th century
Left Jo 尉面 Size = 195mm × 138mm.
Weight = 154g
Right Yoroboshi 弱法師 Size = 207mm × 144mm.
Weight = 153g
Noh masks are carved from blocks of Japanese cypress , and painted with natural pigments on a neutral base of glue and crunched seashell. There are approximately 450 different masks mostly based on sixty types, all of which have distinctive names.
Some masks are representative and frequently used in many different plays, while some are very specific and may only be used in one or two plays.
Noh masks signify the characters’ gender, age, and social ranking, and by wearing masks the actors may portray youngsters, old men, female, or nonhuman (divine, demonic, or animal) characters.
Please have a look at the photos for a better impression.
