Masks
Various properties
Various properties
A tengu somen (mask)
By Geishu Myochin Kiyoyoshi, mid Edo Period, 18th/19th century
The iron mask forged in one piece with the beak and ears riveted on, beneath the chin are two otayori no kugi, lacquered red overall with black on the point of the beak, the interior of the mask gold-lacquered; a two-lame yodarekake of kiritsuke kozane; gold-lacquered and laced in dark blue; the kebiki odoshi is attached to the mask by a leather strip. 33cm (13in).
The iron mask forged in one piece with the beak and ears riveted on, beneath the chin are two otayori no kugi, lacquered red overall with black on the point of the beak, the interior of the mask gold-lacquered; a two-lame yodarekake of kiritsuke kozane; gold-lacquered and laced in dark blue; the kebiki odoshi is attached to the mask by a leather strip. 33cm (13in).
Sold for
£121,250
inc. premium
Footnotes
- 朱塗総面 天狗 藝州明珍清吉作 江戸時代中期（18/19世紀）
The tengu, a bird-like spirit, is often depicted with a reddish face and a crow-like beak. In Japanese folklore the tengu is a protective, yet mischievous spirit and a popular mask subject.
The existence of somen (full mask) goes back to the Muromachi Period but quickly declined in popularity as the full-coverage of the face was found to be uncomfortable and impractical since it did not provide any functional advantage. They continued to be made as showpieces for high-ranking lords as opposed to practical armour accoutrements.
Category: Asian Art / Japanese Art
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