Tsuba with Masks of Noh Characters: Shojo, Okame and Oni
(Japanese Military Armor)
This tsuba shows three masks used in Noh theater performances. At the lower right is a demon mask. Demon characters can be humorous, as well as vicious. At the lower left is an okame mask. Okame is the goddess of mirth. At the upper left is the shôjô mask. Shôjô are mythical creatures who enjoy drinking wine or sake. They are often shown in an intoxicated state, dancing with a fan or drinking sake from a ladle. These two objects are shown on the back of the tsuba.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Geographies
Japan (Place of Origin)
Measurements
2 7/8 x 2 3/4 x 5/16 in. (7.3 x 7.05 x 0.74 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
51.178