■About Noh-Masks
Noh-gaku has a history of more than 600 years.
Masks and clothes that are used in Noh-gaku have unique artistic beauty.
They are highly regarded as extraordinary arts in the world
In particular, the Noh mask is the center(heart) of stage direcion and it plays the most important part in Noh-gaku
■The characteristics of a Noh Mask
Many Noh-gaku reflect the delicate human feelings which change from moment to moment. Therefore, the Noh masks are required to express every gradation of feelings(from joy to sorrow).This is the characteristic of Noh mask which can't be found in other japanese traditional entertainments in which a mask is used, for example Gigaku,Bugaku or Kyougen.
The merit of the Noh mask is not truly apparent until a performer puts on the mask and acts on stage. The value of a Noh mask is directly related to the actor's performance.However,if the mask has a specific expressin, it is impossible to express feelings except what the mask displays, even if the performer acts very will
It is for this reason that the 'deadpan' mask was devised.
The deadpan mask takes an intermediate position between the two extreme feelings of excitement and dejection.It is flexible(adaptable) to various feelings like
joy,anger,sorrow,and delight.lnevitably,the size of the mask becomes smaller and specialized.
Many people think the Noh mask is expressionless.
A face with regular features (a face with supressed feelings) is called a face like a Noh mask.But only a few Noh masks have a deadpan expression.Many other Noh masks have an expressive look.
The movement of Noh-gaku is extremely quiet,small,and delicate.
Therefore,the Noh masks have to react sensitively even to the smallest
movements of the performers and also have to express fully the feelings that the performer wants to conver.
■Carveing of the Reverse Side of the Noh Mask
The carving of the reverse side of the Noh mask is also important.
A performer is supposed to put on a Noh mask, except for an "Okina"mask,in a room with a mirror.
The performer ought to identify with the character in the play.
The performer never fails to observe the reverse side of the Noh mask when he tries to put on the Noh mask.
At the time of putting on the Noh mask,what if the reverse side of the mask of "Koomote"or"Wakaonna",which should be beautiful and gentle, is coarse?
What if the reverse side of the mask of "Hannya"or "Akujyo"is too smooth?
Whether the performer is conscience of it or not, he is disturbed to see it and loses his concentraton and composure.
You can see the close considerations of the sculptor from the beautiful finish of young "Onnamen".
The
expression of the Noh mask should be in harmony with the mood of the reverse side of it.It is not effective if one is lacking.
A great Noh mask is one which careful attention to detail has been paid
■Outline of Noh-mask
Performance of Noh begins with the mask. The Noh actor who is to take the role of the Shite ,the major figure in a No performance ,carefully chooses his mask from the several possibilities available to him. His choice and his understanding of that choice greatly determine the tone of the play. The masks with slightly asymetric features are set in a balanced harmonious face and create an inner tension which brings to life a thousand shades of emotion. The lips are in fact just a little different on the left and right side. The eyeballs look in different directions. The right eye is flatter and so slanted as to give the impression that the eye is looking upward and outward. The left eye is made to look downward and away from the face towards the left. Seen from the right the mask is ever so slightly more outgoing. While from the left it appears more tranquil and withdrawn. We mask carvers must be both sculptors and painters. Starting from a block of Japanese cypress,
we first chisel the broad outlines. Then with whittling knives we refine the face, opening holes at the eyes, nose and mouth.
At the same time we hollow out the back of the mask.
It takes a professional only a day tocut away to approximately the right form.
However, refining this to exactly the right expression may take us anywhere from two or three weeks to several months.
Many layers of gesso (GOFUN), a paste of whitening, cover the carved wood.
These are periodically sanded down to produce a smooth white surface.
The last layers of gesso are tinted an appropriate color.
Then the features, eyes, hair, lips and teeth are delineated.
The mask is shaded light in the center and dark on the edges.
This is done either by repeated applications of very thin paint or by polishing the final surface in a special way.
The painting particularly of the thin lines within the eyeballs and the individual strands of hair requires patience and a sure hand.
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