Japanese Noh Theater Ko-Omote Mask, Early 20th Century

Japanese Edo Period Ko-jo Mask of an Old Man, ca. 1820 Edo Period (1603-1868) DIMENSIONS: Length: 15” (with beard) Length: 8” (without beard) Height: 4” Width: 5.5” ABOUT A Japanese Edo Period (1603-1868) Ko-jo Mask of an Old Man refers to a traditional theatrical or ceremonial mask crafted during Japan’s Edo period (1603–1868). Here's a breakdown of what this object typically represents and why it's significant: The term "Ko-jo" (or Kojo) roughly translates to "old man" or "aged person" in Japanese. A Ko-jo mask often portrays the face of an elderly man, typically with exaggerated age features: deep wrinkles, sagging skin, a long nose, bushy eyebrows, and sometimes a beard. These masks are usually used in Noh, Kyogen, or folk performances, and occasionally in Shinto rituals. In Noh theater, masks are used to express character types, moods, and spiritual roles. The Ko-jo mask might represent a wise elder, a spirit of age and wisdom, or even a deity. In Kyogen, which is the comedic counterpart to Noh, old-man masks are used more playfully, often satirizing elderly characters in lighthearted scenes. The Ko-jo mask may also symbolize ancestral reverence or longevity, tying it to folk beliefs and ritual performances. Edo period masks...

Japanese Meiji Period Elaborate Bunraku Puppeta. 19th Century Meiji Period (1868-1912) Minor wear to textiles, fine antique condition, Original Bamboo display stand. DIMENSION Height: 33 inches Width: 18 inches Depth: 9 inches ABOUT Bunraku (puppet) depicting the warrior Minamoto Yoshistune his head carved of wood and covered in a fine white gofun with painted details, face of a handsome youth with trigger mechanism allowing for the eyebrows to raise and lower and the eyes to shift from side, is wearing military armor with signature dragon on his breastplate ,brocade patterning of his thick obi tie, sumptuous silk brocade kimono and brocade hakama trousers with the Minamoto Clan pattern, silk tabi socks...

A scarce antique Japanese Noh theatre hand carved and painted wooden mask of Ko-Omote. Sculpted in Japan in the 19th century, Ko-omote (literally ...

Ko-omote The Ko-omote mask is most often used in Noh performances to depict young women of noble birth or spirits of young maidens. Characters portrayed with this mask are usually g...