Seven Masks for the Noh Drama

Seven Masks for the Noh Drama
Edo period (1615-1868 to Showa era (1926-1989), mid-19th to 20th century
Each of carved wood, variously painted and lacquered, comprising: 1) Shishiguchi ('Lion's Mouth'), with wide-open mouth and gold-lacquer finish, 22cm (8¾cm); 2) Obeshimi ('Large Mouth Clamped Shut', used in Tengu roles), with gilt-metal eyes, the reverse with impressed stamp Imoto chochiku, 22.7cm (8 7/8in); 3) Okina (Old Man), with vegetable-fibre eyebrows and wispy horsehair beard, the reverse with an illegible carved seal, 19cm (7½in); 4) Fukai ('Deep'), with high eyebrows, 21cm (8¼in); 5) Uba (Elderly Woman), with wrinkled brown and thinning hair, 20.5cm (8in); 6) Heita (Warrior), with prominent painted eyebrows, moustache, whiskers and beard, the reverse with carved inscription Deme Mitsunaga utsu Kojiro (Made by Kojiro [after] Deme Mitsunaga), 20.5cm (8 1/8in); and 7) Kotobide (Hornless Demon), with pale red finish and gilt-metal eyes, the reverse branded Hashi Hoko saku (Made by Hashi Hoko), 20.5cm (8in). (7).