Japanese Fish mask Hariko kagura Noh paper papier-mache Folk art Yokai MSK377

It is a fish mask made of paper.

「Kuroibo no shingyo」
The story of the mysterious deity of the Kurobe River, the Black-spotted mudfish, dates back as far as 54 years. It is a tale that originated from a man known as the "Teppōbuchi" in Hiramura (now part of Ohmachi City, Hira District).
It was found out that what was hanging high above on the fire rack of Jiro (the back of the well) was the head of the divine fish.
The head of the divine fish, resembling a smoked delicacy, was covered with solidified soot, giving it a reddish-black color similar to the father of this household, who was a master gunsmith. It even led to the thought that perhaps the father was an incarnation of the divine fish. The rough wrinkles on the forehead, the wide-opened mouth, and especially the large bulging eyes with the black warts above them, all bore an uncanny resemblance that was truly fascinating.
The second son of the father also had similar black warts but died at a young age. It is said that the grandfather of the father ventured deep into the mysterious valley of Kurobe, where turbulent currents surged and giant boulders loomed. He took aim from underwater depths and fired his beloved matchlock musket, successfully shooting and capturing the divine fish. That fish turned out to be the very same fish with the black warts.
After many years had passed, the large black warts, which had continued for three generations, were believed to be a curse from the divine fish. In order to appease this curse, the preserved fish head, resembling smoked fish, was buried in a corner of the field. For over 100 years, it had been hanging on the fire shelf. This mysterious divine fish of Kurobe, with its fish head transformed into a mask, would continue to be revered as the Lord of Kurobe.
Japanese folk art
SIZE
28.5cm×30cm
Height: 13.5cm
Wegiht: 96g

Condition: used / There are some scratches.