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Waka Onna (Young Woman) Noh mask

A work made of japanese cypress, colors, lacquer.

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  • A work made of japanese cypress, colors, lacquer.

Date:

2013

Artist:

Yamaguchi Bidou
Japanese, b. 1970

About this artwork

This carefully crafted Waka onna mask was carved out of cypress wood by Yamaguchi Bidou, one of the few craftsmen in Japan today producing masks in keeping with the high standards of the traditional art form. Defining characteristics of the young female mask include the large forehead; downcast, elongated eyes; small mouth with a lower lip that sticks out; blackened teeth; and white complexion.

The facial expression can be very hard to read—it is kept neutral so that the performer’s gestures can project the proper emotions. This type of young female mask is meant to depict a woman who is about 25–30 years old. It has been fashioned to appear somewhat aged and worn.

Status

On View, Gallery 103

Department

Arts of Asia

Artist

Yamaguchi Bidou

Title

Waka Onna (Young Woman) Noh mask

Place

Japan (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1901–2013

Medium

Japanese cypress, colors, lacquer

Dimensions

21 × 13 × 7 cm (8 1/4 × 5 1/8 × 2 3/4 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Yamaguchi Bidou

Reference Number

2013.1156

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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