Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 2008-0004-0045A-C   CAS 2008-0004-0045A-C; Masks (3) (toy)
Category Folk Toys
Object Name Masks (3) (toy)
Culture Japanese
Global Region East Asia
Country Japan
State/Prov./Dist. Kyoto Prefecture
County
Other Geographic Data City: Kyoto
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1930s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Paper; Paint
Description 3 miniature paper face masks that are 2-dimensional except for a triangular, 3-dimensional nose on each; A and B are nearly identical in their overall rectangular shape and depiction of a white-haired creature with large eyes and bared fangs (including one oversized tooth in upper jaw and one in lower jaw); A is painted orange on front, while B is painted blue; C depicts the white face of a man with large ears, short cropped-hair with two curls at center; Almond-shaped eyes, and bright red lips; All three masks are fitted with triangular noses that protrude outward from a center cutout to a sharp point; All three masks are marked on reverse with the same artist’s or shop’s stamp.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 6.4, Width = 6.2, Depth = 2.7