Mask (Sōmen)

Unknown

possibly 15th century · Iron, lacquer, hair, textile (silk) · Arms and Armor

This is one of the earliest surviving examples of a full face mask (somen). It is also very rare for being modeled on a specific character from Noh drama: the happy old man (okina) with distinctive white eyebrows and beard.

Artist

Unknown

Date

possibly 15th century

Medium

Iron, lacquer, hair, textile (silk)

Culture

Japanese

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of Bashford Dean, 1914