Mask Item Number: Ed5.2496 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A light beige mask (part a) with upraised eyebrows outlined with black diagonal lines and four curvy horizontal lines carved for furrows at the brow. The slightly oval inset eyes bulge out at an angle as the high cheek bone angles to a downward bulge. The open cut out red mouth has upper teeth. The moustache and the goatee are painted with curved black lines. Hair curls over the top of the head along the edges from a set of holes. The beard is done in a similar manner. The pupils of the eyes and the nostrils are also cut out. The bag (part b) is cream coloured with a flower in a hexagon pattern. The bag has two brown ties outlined with green, one on the side and the other on the overlaying flap to tie and close the bag together.
History Of Use
Noh plays are the classical drama of Japan, tragic in character and based upon literature dealing with the court in a remote age. The audience for this drama has always been drawn from an aristocratic circle.
Iconographic Meaning
Age lines and colour of hair indicate an old man, identified by the vendor, a noh master, as Okina.
Item History
- Made in Japan before 1799
- Owned by Makio Umewaka before June 18, 1984
- Received from Fyfe-Smith Memorial Oriental Collection Fund (Funding source), Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Makio Umewaka (Seller) on June 18, 1984
What
Who
- Culture
- Japanese
- Previous Owner
- Makio Umewaka
- Received from
- Fyfe-Smith Memorial Oriental Collection Fund (Funding source), Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Makio Umewaka (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Japan
When
- Creation Date
- before 1799
- Ownership Date
- before June 18, 1984
- Acquisition Date
- on June 18, 1984
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 78
- Accession Number
- 0970/0002