KOOMOTE - Vintage Japanese Noh Mask #5196
- SKU:
- 5196
- Shipping:
- Free Shipping
Width: approx. 21.1cm (8 5⁄16in) x 12.8cm (5 1⁄16in)
Weight: 150g
Origin: Japan
The ko-omote mask is of a young woman, and her expression is lovely and artless. A key characteristic of the ko-omote mask is that the first three strands of hair at the hairline are drawn in parallel, not overlapping. Noh masks can express joy, anger, pathos or humor depending on the movements of the actor wearing the mask. While on stage, turning the mask upward is terasu (shining) and turning downward is kumorasu (clouding), expressing joy or pathos for example, and all kinds of mood shifts can be expressed while wearing the same mask. With just some exceptions, onna-men or female masks are depicted with thick white stage makeup, painted-on eyebrows and blackened teeth, which are all customs remaining from the age when Noh was established.
Noh is a form of classical musical drama in Japan, and its present-day form came into existence during the Muromachi Period. Kanami developed a form of Noh called Sarugaku, and Noh became popular under the patronage of the third Ashikaga Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. During the era of the Tokugawa Shogunat, Noh received official recognition as a national form of performing art that was used in official rituals. A lot of daimyo lords loved it very much. Noh masks are used by the main character, or the “shite,” and accompanying performers called the “tsure.” They are used to portray divinities, demonic divinities, vengeful ghosts, and other characters, on top of female characters that involve aesthetic expressions. Noh plays can be divided roughly into the following main categories: Okina and the elderly, the demonic divinities, the females, the males, and the vengeful ghosts. It is said that there are some 70 basic forms of Noh plays if they are categorized by name (for example, Koomote and Hannya). It is said that there are over 200 forms of Noh plays if the white, red, and black Hannya are counted as separate types.
- Appraisal: The Company does not provide authentication or provenance documentation, nor does it conduct scientific age verification or authentication by an artist’s descendants. All items are sold as-is, based on our research and description, without lifetime guarantees of authenticity.
- Shipping & Customs Duties: Shipping and Customs Duties We ship internationally but cannot ship to countries or regions subject to embargoes or import restrictions. Shipping is free to the United States, Europe, Asia (excluding certain regions), Australia, and New Zealand. For all other destinations, please contact us in advance. Orders are generally dispatched within three (3) business days, and delivery typically requires approximately one (1) week. The primary carrier is Japan Post (EMS). EMS includes insurance up to the declared value stated on the shipping label. Import duties, taxes, customs fees, and any other charges imposed by the destination country are the sole responsibility of the buyer. The Company does not assume liability for such costs.
- Returns & Cancellations: If you wish to cancel your order after payment has been completed, a cancellation fee of twenty percent (20%) will be deducted from the refund amount. The cancellation fee takes into account the actual international shipping costs incurred as well as payment processing fees. Returns are accepted within thirty (30) days of delivery if the product remains in its original condition. Return shipping is the buyer's responsibility. However, if the item is clearly different from the product photos, we will cover the cost of return shipping. Any claims regarding authenticity or condition must be submitted within 30 days of delivery. Claims made after this period shall not be accepted. Returns or refund requests will not be accepted once the item has been transferred, resold, or otherwise passed on to a third party.
- Q1. How long does it take from order to shipment?:We usually ship within 3 business days after receiving your order. Please note that if your order falls on Japanese weekends or national holidays (e.g., Golden Week, New Year holidays), shipping may take longer as carriers are closed. If you need your order urgently, please contact us before placing your order.
- Q2. How many days does delivery take?: We ship internationally, mainly by Japan Post (EMS). EMS includes insurance up to the declared value. Import duties, taxes, customs fees, and other charges in the destination country are the buyer’s responsibility.
