Japanese Kanshitsu (Dry Lacquer) Noh Kagura Mask Wrathful Deity with Gilded Eye

Rare Japanese Kanshitsu (Dry Lacquer) Noh Kagura Mask - Wrathful Deity with Gilded Eyes (625g)

This is a profoundly powerful and museum-quality Japanese Theater Mask, crafted using the highly complex and revered Kanshitsu (Dry Lacquer) technique. Dating from the late Edo to the Meiji period, this mask depicts a wrathful deity or demonic entity, such as Beshimi or Akujo, used in traditional Noh and Kagura performances.

The Rare Art of Kanshitsu (Dry Lacquer): Unlike common wooden masks, this masterpiece was created using Kanshitsu, an ancient and painstaking technique where layers of hemp cloth soaked in raw lacquer are molded over a core. The reverse side clearly showcases the organic texture of the original hemp cloth weave, proving its authentic, high-end lineage and historical importance.

Key Features:

• Wrathful Iconography: Features a dramatic, fierce expression with intense, prominent eyebrows, a powerful flaring nose, and gilded eyes (remnants of original gold leaf/paint) designed to catch the firelight of nightly outdoor stages.

• True Wabi-Sabi Patina: The surface displays a majestic red and dark brown lacquer finish. The natural cracking, age lines, and localized peeling of the outer lacquer layers reveal the dark under-layers, embodying the perfect Zen aesthetic of beautiful aging.

• Impressive Size & Weight: Measuring 28.3 cm, this is a larger-format mask with a substantial weight of 650g, giving it an imposing presence when displayed on a wall or in a collector’s cabinet.

Specifications:

• Material: Genuine Kanshitsu (Dry Lacquer over Hemp Cloth), Gold pigments

• Dimensions: Height 28.3 cm x Width 22.5 cm x Depth 14.3 cm / 11.1 x 8.9 x 5.6 in

• Weight: 650 g / 1.43 lbs

• Era: 19th Century (Late Edo to Meiji Period)

Condition Report: Authentic Condition. The mask is structurally sound and retains its original form. It features significant, honest age-wear, surface cracking, and localized peeling/loss of the lacquer layer, especially on the nose and chin area. These imperfections are highly prized by collectors as proof of age, performance history, and ritual use.