Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Tsuba with Three Noh Masks
(Japanese Military Armor)
This tsuba depicts three masks and a fan used in traditional Japanese performing arts. The mask in the upper portion of the tsuba is the "hannya" mask used by noh actors portraying vengeful women. A fan is shown near this mask. The lower mask is a "buaku" mask, which was used in comic kyogen plays for demons or minor deities who are not as intimidating or powerful as they may seem. On the reverse is an "usobuki" mask. This mask is also used in kyogen plays for both human and spirit characters.
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
3 in. (7.6 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.
51.277