Wooden lacquered Shishimai mask

A fabulous dried lacquer mask dated the 5th month of Tenbun 9 (1540) for shishimai festival dancing.

The jaw flaps open and closed, made to frighten little children and said to ward off evil.

The Shishimai or lion dance involves performers donning lion-shaped masks and wearing a large cloth with an arabesque lion pattern. It is believed to have originated in India. The "shishi" is inspired by the lion, and traveled to Japan from China as a mythical creature capable of expelling evil. In the middle of the eighth century, the lion dance started being performed at shrines and temples. From the middle of the 14th century to the beginning of the 17th century, entertainment groups from Ise traveled the country, performing the lion dance and distributing talismans from Ise Shrine. This is believed to have spread the dance to a wider audience. Now Shishimai is seen all over Japan, and its styles differ greatly from place to place.