Noh Mask of Kawazu Noh Mask of Yase-otoko (Gaunt man)

EDO PERIOD (18TH-19TH CENTURY), THE FIRST SIGNED IN GOLD LACQUER DEME TOSHIMITSU (DESHI DEME II) AND WITH KAO (CURSIVE MONOGRAM)

Details

Noh Mask of Kawazu
Noh Mask of Yase-otoko (Gaunt man)
Edo period (18th-19th century), the first signed in gold lacquer Deme Toshimitsu (Deshi Deme II) and with kao (cursive monogram)
Polychrome pigments and gesso over wood, gilt-metal eyes
8in. (20.3cm.); 8in. (20.3cm.) long
The first mask with one storage bag; the second mask with two storage bags (2)

Provenance

Yamanouchi family, Tosa Province
Kawasaki family, Kochi Prefecture

Lot Essay

Kawazu (upper right in the illustration) appears in the second acts of plays with themes of retribution. The sharp cheekbones and sunken eyes symbolize a ghost tormented by wrongful actions. Yase-otoke (lower right) represents the ghost of a man suffering in hell.
For a mask netsuke by Deme Toshimitsu, see lot 273.

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