Noh mask of Ōmi-Onna

Carver: Miyata Chikugo

Despite losses of pigment around the edges and abrasions to such prominent features as upper eyelids, the tip of the nose and the lips, this is in original and stable condition.

According to Steve Marvin in his 'Heaven has a Face; so does Hell', Miyata Chikugo was the second most able pupil of Kodama Ōmi (d. 1704). Although the characters have been largely effaced from the branded seal, the outline is unique to Miyata (op. cit., vol. 1, pp. 349-350). There is a mask of Shikami by him in the Boston Museum of Fine Art. For a discussion of the Ōmi-onna class of masks, see Marvin, op. cit., vol. 1, pp. 190-193

This is a passionate woman’s mask. Her eyes are narrowed like bows and the lower teeth are slightly visible in her smile. The mask has something coquettish, which cannot be seen in other masks. The Omi-onna mask is befitting to a woman madly in love.

The mask is accompanied by an old silk bag