Nara, Japan

11 inches, woodchip composite

Nasori is a demon character in the Bugaku dance drama that predates the Noh and Kyogen theaters. Masks from this early period are carved from cypress wood and often have movable parts. Very few examples have survived and those are now in museums. This is a molded replica sold as a souvenir by monks to temple visitors in the early 20th century. It has deteriorated over the years, but the structure and remaining paint are stable.

Made by the dry lacquer method. Layers of lacquer impregnated linen type cloth were pressed into a carved wooden mold to form the mask. This was an early statue and mask making technique imported from China many years ago.