KAGURA MASK REPRESENTING OKAME (OTAFUKU)

This mask depicts Okame (also known as Otafuku, “the woman with the full face”), a jovial female figure associated with fertility, prosperity, and good fortune. In the context of kagura—Shintō ritual dances—Okame appears as a humorous and benevolent character, a bringer of joy and abundance. The exaggerated features (round face, full cheeks, smiling mouth, and narrowed eyes) emphasize her cheerful and comical nature.

Okame or Otafuku is a beloved figure in Japanese folklore: a comical and maternal woman, sometimes considered the companion of the playful deity Sarutahiko. In kagura—performed to entertain the gods and ensure communal prosperity—her role is to provoke laughter, attract divine favor, and invite fertility and abundance. During the Edo period, such masks were also used in festive contexts, including village dances and seasonal rituals, reflecting their joyful and popular character.

This mask exemplifies the tradition of Japanese popular ritual masks parallel to nō theatre, embodying a comic yet protective female spirit. Through its expressiveness and rich patina, it testifies not only to a living popular art but also to the vital role of laughter and joy in Japanese ritual practice.