Japanese No Masks

With 300 Illustrations of Authentic Historical Examples

Friedrich Perzynski, Stanley Appelbaum

• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Year: 2012
• ISBN:
  9780486141282
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Drama
• Index: Literature

Combining elements of dance, drama, music and poetry, the performances of Japanese No theater are a highly stylized form of entertainment. Accompanying the sumptuous costumes worn during performances are elaborately carved No and Kyogen wooden masks—major works of art in their own right. This book, based on a classic two-volume German study, presents a wealth of illustrations and information relating to these magnificent theatrical devices.
A new, informative introduction and extensive captions derived from the original text and newly translated, accompany the heart of the book--more than 120 full-page plates depicting museum-quality masks worn by actors playing gods, warriors, demons, and monsters, beautiful women, feudal lords, mad characters, and supernatural beings. All 303 illustrations from the original two-volume work are included.
A unique introduction to classic Japanese theater for Western theatergoers, this volume will also serve as an excellent reference for students, scholars, and enthusiasts of No drama.

Masks in Historical Sequence

PLATE XIV: Okina mask (see Fig. 51, page 129) carved by Miroku (mid-10th century??).

PLATE XV: Okina mask carved by Nikk

(mid-10th century??).

PLATE XVI: Kokushiki okina mask (see Fig. 52, p. 129) carved by Nikk

.

PLATE XVII: Emmei kanja (“long-lived bachelor”) mask (see Fig. 19, p. 125) carved by Bunz

(Fukuhara Bunz

; late 13th century or 14th century?).

PLATE XVIII: Deija (“soil snake”) mask (see Fig. 116, page 139) carved by Shakuzuru (Yoshinari Itt

sai Shakuzuru; late 13th or 14th century). Used in the play D

j

ji by a lustful she-devil who once pursued a handsome priest who hid under a temple bell.

PLATE XIX: Ja (“snake”) mask (see Fig. 115, page 139) carved by Shakuzuru. Also used in the play D

j

ji (see Plate XVIII).

PLATE XX: Shishiguchi (“lion mouth”) mask (see Fig. 135, page 142) carved by Shakuzuru.

PLATE XXI: Another Shishiguchi mask carved by Shakuzuru.

PLATE XXII: Ko jishi (“small lion”) mask (see Fig. 134, page 141) carved by Shakuzuru.

PLATE XXIII: Hannya (she-devil) mask (see Fig. 112, page 139, and Plate VII) carved by Shakuzuru.

PLATE XXIV: Another Hannya mask carved by Shakuzuru.

PLATE XXV:

beshimi demon mask (see Fig. 102, page 138) carved by Shakuzuru.

PLATE XXVI: Saru tobide (“goggle-eyed monkey demon”) mask (see Fig. 145, page 143) carved by Shakuzuru. Used only in the play Nue, in which this demon gives a 12th-century emperor nightmares until it is shot by Yorimasa (see als...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• NOTE TO THE DOVER EDITION
• INTRODUCTION
• The N Stage and accessories
• Masks in Historical Sequence
• Illustrated Catalog of Mask Types
• A CATALOG OF SELECTED DOVER BOOKS IN SALL FIELDS OF INTEREST