MUROMACHI-MOMOYAMA PERIOD (MID TO LATE 16TH CENTURY), CARVED SIGNATURE FUKURAI

Mikazuki is one type of Ayakashi mask, representing the ghost of a brave man with refined, spiritual qualities. One example is the ghost of Taira no Tomomori in the play Funa Benkei (Benkei in the Boat). There was a mask carver named Fukurai Ishiobyoe Masatomo active in the 15th century.