ID Number

Title

Item Name

Culture

Material

Place Made

Date Owned

Owner

Acquisition Date

Source

Source

Measurements

Condition

Current Location

Accession Number

Description

The mask represents Okina (翁; elderly person), also known as Hakushikijō (白色尉/白式尉; white okina). It has a light brown face with its curved eyes cut out, as well as the nostrils and the red mouth with two flat upper teeth. A black hat rim is painted along the top, as well as a moustache. Two fibre circles are attached at the brow, one on each side. Blonde hair is used for the beard, passing through set holes. Fibre string attaches the lower jaw or movable chin (切顎; kiriago) to the upper part of the mask. Curved lines are carved around the brows and the cheeks. The mask bag (part b) is made of fabric with a yellow-green background and white, gold, and black floral pattern. The bag has two ties, to tie and close the bag together.

History Of Use

This is a mask of Okina (翁; elderly person), also known as Hakushikijō (白色尉/白式尉; white okina). Okina refers to a ritual performance known as Shikisanban (式三番; three-piece rituals) and also to the name of the white mask of okina, worn by the shite (シテ; main actor) in nō or noh (能) theatre. Nōgaku or nohgaku (能楽) is a traditional Japanese performing art and is divided into three fields: Noh play, Okina/Shikisanban and Kyōgen (狂言). Okina is performed before the formal program of noh play and does not have any narrative. It is often said, “Okina is noh, but not noh.” It is performed for special occasions such as New Year festivities and prayers for peace and prosperity of the nation. Versions of Okina, usually called Okinamai (翁舞) are still performed at Shinto shrines by different kinds of performers. Shikisanban (式三番) is usually performed by three actors: the shite (シテ; main actor) who plays Okina, another noh actor, who plays Senzai (千歳) and a kyōgenkata (狂言方; kyogen actor) who plays Sanbasō (三番叟; third okina elderly person). Senzai acts, usually without a mask, to purify the stage before Okina dons his mask and performs. The dance of Okina is followed by a dance by Sanbasō. There is a version to include two other characters, Chichinojō (父尉) and Enmeikaja (延命冠者), but it is not as common as in the past.

Cultural Context

The masks of Okina and Sanbasō are considered sacred and quite different from the other types of noh masks. Okina is a white and noble mask and Sanbasō is a black mask, with sparse teeth and a friendly face. The Okina is usually performed by the head of a noh troupe, while the Sanbasō is performed by a kyōgengata (狂言方) actor.