Bugaku - Tengu

Bugaku masks are much rarer than Noh or Kyōgen masks. They are associated with imperial and temple performances of ancient, Chinese-inspired court dances.

The tengu is a legendary creature of great importance to Japanese mythology, appearing in folk tales as well as in Shinto and Buddhist religious doctrines. Despite the dog in its name ("heavenly dog") and the creature's origins, it is also associated with a bird of prey. The tengu's role is ambiguous; some sources describe it as a demon and others as a protective demigod. Its form also varies from that of a large bird of prey to that of a brightly colored human, almost always with an exceptionally long nose.

The tengu is also a popular masked character in Kyōgen theater. Kyōgen is a traditional form of Japanese comedy theater, usually performed during village festivals or as an interlude between traditional Noh dramas. Kyōgen is performed by both masked and unmasked characters, whose roles are defined in each traditional play. The actors are accompanied by flute, drum, and gong music, but Kyōgen emphasizes dialogue and action over song or dance. In these plays, the tengu typically plays the role of troublemaker (sometimes trickster) or mystical protector.

The tengu mask also plays a role in folk ceremonies in various parts of Japan. For example, on the island of Sadogashima, a horseman known as Sarutahiko wears a tengu mask with a Shinto hat, ebōshi, and rides around the village to cleanse it during certain festivals.

Description
The dry-lacquer method, called kanshitsu (乾漆) in Japanese, was the construction process used to make this mask. Essentially, plaster of Paris was poured into the desired shape and then dried using a mesh backing. Once dry, the mask was sanded and applied with multiple coats of lacquer. This method results in durable and relatively lightweight masks. The dry-lacquer method was used through the late 1800s and into the mid-20th century.

Specifications
Width: 18 cm
Height: 21 cm
Depth: 19 cm
Condition: Old vintage condition
Origin: Japan
Age: Showa period

This product is vintage. It was made approximately 50-60 years ago and may show signs of wear or stains due to long use.