能面　中将|Chūjō Noh Mask

Genkyu Michinaga

18th century · Cypress wood with white, black, and red pigments · Asian Art

The Chūjō mask portrays Heian-period poet and nobleman Ariwara no Narihira (Zai Go-chūjō, 825–880). The expression represents that of an elegant, graceful aristocrat; however, the furrow on his forehead expresses grief. The mask could be worn for the role of a handsome young nobleman or that of an aristocratic warrior of the Heike clan who dies on the battlefield.

Artist

Genkyu Michinaga

Date

18th century

Medium

Cypress wood with white, black, and red pigments

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 1993