Page 90 - Japanese Art September 2017 New York

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ATTRIBUTED TO MUKO SEIUN I (1867-1944) NAGASAWA UJIHARU (1912-2003)
A noh mask of Hannya A Noh mask of Kaminari (Thunder)
Taisho (1912-1926) or Showa (1926-1989) era, 20th century Showa (1926-1989) or Heisei (1989-) era, 20th century
Carved in wood and painted in polychrome pigments over gesso, Carved in wood and decorated in gesso and color pigments, gilt-
gilt-metal eyes, the horns and fangs tinted gilt, signed on the interior metal eyes and teeth, burned seal Nagasawa Ujiharu
in gold lacquer Seiun and with a kao With tomobako storage box signed and sealed by the artist and
With a wood storage box brocade storage bag
8 1/2in (21.7cm) high 8 5/8in (21.9cm) high

US$2,500 - 3,500 US$2,000 - 3,000

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NAGASAWA UJIHARU (1912-2003) NAGASAWA UJIHARU (1912-2003)
A Noh mask of Obeshimi (Demon) A Noh mask of Shishiguchi (Lion Mouth)
Showa (1912-1989) or Heisei (1989-) era, 20th century Showa (1926-1989) or Heisei (1989-) era, 20th century
Carved in wood and painted in polychrome pigments over gesso, Carved in wood and decorated in gesso and color pigments, gilt-
gilt-metal eyes, burned seal Nagasawa Ujiharu metal eyes, burned seal Nagasawa Ujiharu
With a tomobako storage box signed and sealed by the artist and With tomobako storage box signed and sealed by the artist and
brocade storage bag brocade storage bag
8 1/4in (20.9cm) high 8 5/8in (21.9cm) high

US$2,000 - 3,000 US$2,000 - 3,000
Born in Kyoto, from the age of 14 Nagasawa Kinshiro (better known
by his go Ujiharu) studied under Tachibana Seigo with whom he
quickly mastered the art of mask making. Thanks to his natural talent
he became an independent artist after only a year, honing his skills
by copying antique masks lent to him by a local dealer, but it was
not until the age of 40 that he was able to focus upon his craft and
establish his reputation. In 1979 he was designated Holder of an
Intangible Cultural Propery, popularly referred to as “Living National
Treasure,” the first mask carver to be accorded this honor.

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