Page 400 - JAPAN THE SHAPING OFDAIMYO CULTURE 1185-1868

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324 Shikami known in which generation this particular 327 Usobuki
polychromed wood mask was carved. polychromed wood
21.3 X 10.2 (8 3/8 X 6 3/8) Though the facial muscles of cat. 325 19.7 X 14.2 (7 3/4 X 5 5/8)
Edo period, i8th century are tense and the nostrils flared, the ex- Edo period, i9th century
pression of rage is less threatening than in
Tokyo National Museum Tokyo National Museum
cat. 324, an effect achieved by shallower
and more formalized carving of the fur- Kyôgen, the comic drama in which such
rows at the temples and eyes. On the back subjects as old tales and the problems of
325 Shikami of the mask is an inscription that reads, real people are treated with humorous
polychromed wood Carved by Omi. The Omi were a branch of actions and witty dialogue, uses some
21.0 x 16.5 (8 V 4 x 6 Vz) the Echizen Déme family. The fourth gen- masks, though the number of mask types
Edo period, icth century eration Omi mask maker, Mitsumasa (d. is much more limited than for No. In con-
Tokyo National Museum 1704) founded the Kodama line of carvers. trast to the serious quality of No masks,
The carver of this mask, whose identity is those for Kyôgen are characterized by
Shikami is one of the demon masks. His unclear, carries on Mitsumasa's tradi- their humorous nature, with amused ex-
threatening expression, with scowling eyes tion. MK pressions, or by deliberate exaggeration
and bared fanglike teeth, well conveys his and distortion. Usobuki represents the lat-
ferocity. Furrows are intensified with red 326 Usobuki ter type. The name implies several possi-
and, as was often done in No demon polychromed wood ble meanings, including to feign
masks to manifest rage, the eyes are high- 19.3 X 14.0 (7 5/8 X 5 A) innocence, to whistle, or to shape the
J
lighted in gold. Edo period, igth century mouth as though blowing a fire. The mask
The back of cat. 324 is inscribed, is worn by both human characters and the
Carved by Genkyù. Genkyü is a name used Tokyo National Museum spirits of fragile creatures such as the
by Mitsunaga, fourth-generation mask moth, mosquito, or cicada.
maker of the Déme family of Echizen, and The expression of cat. 327, with eyes
then by subsequent generations; it is not wide-open and crossed as though he is in-
flating something, and whiskers flared up,
conveys a particularly wonderful sense of
the absurd. MK

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