{"product_id":"masque-no-japonais-ko-omote-bois-keigo-showa","title":"Japanese Nô mask Ko Omote (小面) in wood – signed Keigo (圭冶) – traditional theater – Shōwa period","description":"\u003ch2 data-start=\"255\" data-end=\"277\"\u003e📏 Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"281\" data-end=\"335\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"281\" data-end=\"289\"\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e: Traditional Japanese mask – Noh theater\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"338\" data-end=\"370\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"338\" data-end=\"352\"\u003eCharacter\u003c\/strong\u003e: Ko-omote (小面)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"373\" data-end=\"399\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"373\" data-end=\"384\"\u003eArtisan\u003c\/strong\u003e: Attributed to Keigo (圭冶)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"402\" data-end=\"496\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"402\" data-end=\"413\"\u003eMaterial\u003c\/strong\u003e: Hand-carved wood, traditional polychromy with matte gofun (nama gofun)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"499\" data-end=\"534\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"499\" data-end=\"513\"\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e: 20 × 12 × 9 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"499\" data-end=\"534\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 218 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"537\" data-end=\"558\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"537\" data-end=\"548\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e: Japan, found in Shizuoka Prefecture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"561\" data-end=\"605\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"561\" data-end=\"579\"\u003eEstimated period\u003c\/strong\u003e: Shōwa Era (1926–1989)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"608\" data-end=\"730\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"608\" data-end=\"616\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e: Good vintage condition; cracks visible under the chin and slight wear on the top of the hair (see photos)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"733\" data-end=\"784\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"733\" data-end=\"745\"\u003eAttachment\u003c\/strong\u003e: Braided cord and side perforations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"787\" data-end=\"846\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"787\" data-end=\"800\"\u003eSignature\u003c\/strong\u003e: Engraved inside the mask (圭冶 – Keigo)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"853\" data-end=\"908\"\u003e👩 The Ko-omote character: idealized youth\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"910\" data-end=\"1258\"\u003eThe character of \u003cstrong data-start=\"927\" data-end=\"939\"\u003eKo-omote\u003c\/strong\u003e (小面), literally \"young female face,\" is one of the most iconic masks of Noh theater. It represents a \u003cstrong data-start=\"1063\" data-end=\"1084\"\u003eyoung noblewoman\u003c\/strong\u003e of pure, gentle, and discreet beauty. Its expression is designed to embody \u003cstrong data-start=\"1167\" data-end=\"1208\"\u003eyouthful grace, restraint, modesty\u003c\/strong\u003e, but also a form of \u003cstrong data-start=\"1234\" data-end=\"1257\"\u003epoetic melancholy\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1260\" data-end=\"1433\"\u003eIn the Noh tradition, Ko-omote is often used to embody young female spirits, princesses, or deceased lovers, expressing ephemerality and refinement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"1440\" data-end=\"1489\"\u003eRealism and refinement of Keigo's work\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1491\" data-end=\"1965\"\u003eThis mask signed \u003cstrong data-start=\"1507\" data-end=\"1521\"\u003eKeigo (圭冶)\u003c\/strong\u003e is carved with great finesse, in accordance with the tradition of \u003cstrong data-start=\"1595\" data-end=\"1607\"\u003emen-ushi\u003c\/strong\u003e (Noh mask carvers). It showcases a particularly remarkable \u003cstrong data-start=\"1691\" data-end=\"1736\"\u003esurface treatment: a matte, lightly polished gofun (生胡粉 \/ nama gofun)\u003c\/strong\u003e with a subtle and \u003cstrong data-start=\"1756\" data-end=\"1769\"\u003egrainy\u003c\/strong\u003e texture, surprisingly evoking the \u003cstrong data-start=\"1795\" data-end=\"1832\"\u003ereal texture of human skin\u003c\/strong\u003e. Unlike glossy lacquer masks, this one \u003cstrong data-start=\"1910\" data-end=\"1934\"\u003egently captures light.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1491\" data-end=\"1965\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"127\" data-start=\"115\"\u003eGofun\u003c\/strong\u003e, a traditional mixture of \u003cstrong data-end=\"206\" data-start=\"153\"\u003eoyster shell powder and animal glue\u003c\/strong\u003e, gives the surface a \u003cstrong data-is-only-node=\"\" data-end=\"267\" data-start=\"232\"\u003ematte, slightly grainy appearance\u003c\/strong\u003e, subtly imitating the \u003cstrong data-end=\"335\" data-start=\"295\"\u003enatural texture of human skin\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1967\" data-end=\"2108\"\u003eThe shade is not pure white but a \u003cstrong data-start=\"2012\" data-end=\"2037\"\u003every soft cream beige\u003c\/strong\u003e, nuanced and organic, contributing to the \u003cstrong data-start=\"2075\" data-end=\"2107\"\u003edisturbing realism of the face\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"2115\" data-end=\"2144\"\u003e🔍 Flaws and authenticity\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2148\" data-end=\"2248\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"2152\" data-end=\"2172\"\u003eOld cracks\u003c\/strong\u003e are visible \u003cstrong data-start=\"2185\" data-end=\"2203\"\u003eunder the chin in the coating\u003c\/strong\u003e, without weakening the wood structure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2251\" data-end=\"2379\"\u003eSome \u003cstrong data-start=\"2255\" data-end=\"2280\"\u003ewear of the black pigment\u003c\/strong\u003e is present on the \u003cstrong data-start=\"2301\" data-end=\"2333\"\u003etop of the painted hairstyle.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2251\" data-end=\"2379\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2301\" data-end=\"2333\"\u003eNo visible signs of wear on the face.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"2533\" data-end=\"2549\"\u003e🦝 Our opinion\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2551\" data-end=\"2838\"\u003eThis \u003cstrong data-start=\"2561\" data-end=\"2585\"\u003eKo-omote mask signed Keigo\u003c\/strong\u003e is a \u003cstrong data-start=\"2594\" data-end=\"2624\"\u003etrue work of art\u003c\/strong\u003e, a far cry from standard decorative objects. Its \u003cstrong data-start=\"2688\" data-end=\"2701\"\u003ematte gofun\u003c\/strong\u003e finish, its \u003cstrong data-start=\"2706\" data-end=\"2725\"\u003esubtle palette\u003c\/strong\u003e, and its \u003cstrong data-start=\"2732\" data-end=\"2770\"\u003eboth lively and gentle expression\u003c\/strong\u003e make it a beautiful example of authentic Shōwa era Japanese Noh craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2840\" data-end=\"2974\"\u003ePerfect for a \u003cstrong data-start=\"2856\" data-end=\"2874\"\u003ecollector\u003c\/strong\u003e, a \u003cstrong data-start=\"2879\" data-end=\"2910\"\u003eJapanese theater enthusiast\u003c\/strong\u003e, or a \u003cstrong data-start=\"2917\" data-end=\"2940\"\u003ephotographer\/artist\u003c\/strong\u003e in search of realistic expressiveness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2590\" data-end=\"2906\"\u003e👉 \u003cem data-end=\"210\" data-start=\"99\"\u003eFind this piece alongside other treasures in our \u003ca title=\"KOGEDO collection of Japanese art objects and Japanese decoration: lacquers, Noh masks, tsuba and much more!\" href=\"https:\/\/kogedo.com\/collections\/decoration-objets-art\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"209\" data-start=\"171\"\u003eJapanese Decoration \u0026 Art Objects collection.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"210\" data-start=\"99\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"209\" data-start=\"171\"\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"210\" data-start=\"99\"\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KOGEDO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51761768726867,"sku":"DN03","price":340.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0937\/8562\/0819\/files\/masque-no-ko-omote-keigo-vue-trois-quart-droit-kogedo.jpg?v=1756741435","url":"https:\/\/kogedo.com\/en\/products\/masque-no-japonais-ko-omote-bois-keigo-showa","provider":"KOGEDO","version":"1.0","type":"link"}