DepartmentAsia

Hannya Transformation Mask Set

NameNoh Masks

Artist TERAI Ichiyu ((寺井一佑, b. 1950, Japan))

CultureJapanese

Date2022

Place madeOsaka, JAPAN, East Asia, Asia

MediumCypress wood, natural pigments

Credit LineGift of Ichiyu Terai

Object numberA.2023.21.1-5V

ProvenanceGift from the artist, Ichiyu TERAI

Description
TERAI likens mask-making to “time travel” because when he is working on a mask he feels the energy from the mask and he feels connected to the generations and generations of mask-makers who have made the same mask that he is working on. Mr. Terai has made masks for Osaka Temple: Dai Nembutsuji, replacing 10-25 masks for a Temple festival: Bosatsu. The replaced masks were from the Edo-perriod, and considered too small to be worn in today’s performances (the artist said the people from the Edo period were smaller than people of today). The artist uses cypress wood that has been cut and dried for many years, and uses all natural paints. To earn a steady living, TERAI Ichiyu teaches Noh mask making at an arts center in Osaka. Most of his students are retirees but have advanced carving and painting skills.