Noh mask of Okina (Hakushikijo)

The cartouche-seal on the reverse is unreadable

0kina, also known as Hakushikijō, this white-faced mask of a happy old man is used in noh theater and festival performances of the play OKINA, also known as SHIKISANBA.

Deep wrinkles form round patterns on his forehead and cheeks. The wavy slit eyes brim with mirth, and the joyful mouth exposes only a few stubs of teeth. The chin, severed from the mask and then re-attached by means of hemp cords passed through holes in the upper and lower jaw. Pompoms made of hemp are glued on for eyebrows. A black horizontal strip at the upper edge of the mask indicates where it meets a black lacquer hat.

Okina masks range from quite large to smaller than the human face. The oldest mask with an original inscription dated 1477 is kept at the Istukushima Jinja Shinto Shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Unknown carver