magojirou　孫次郎

KEY WORD :　art history / sculptures

A noh mask *noumen 能面 representing a young woman. The gracefully curved mouth forming a slight smile and caterpillar eyebrows placed high on a broad forehead are reminiscent of *koomote 小面. The longish face, somewhat lean cheeks and simple shape of the eyes with heavy lids give the mask an open, yet sad expression, which at times takes on a delicate, dream-like beauty. The black hair parted at the middle has two painted strands at the front, with two more curving out from just above ear-level. A variant style magojirou has fuller cheeks and more outgoing expression. Tradition has it that the model for this mask type, now in the Tokyo National Museum, owned by the Mitsui 三井 family, and designated an Important Cultural Property, was carved by the Kongou 金剛 school actor Kongou Magojirou Ukyou Hisatsugu 金剛孫次郎右京久次 (1538-64) in memory of his deceased wife, though the type may actually go back further. The Kongou school owns several very fine examples of both styles of magojirou and uses them for main shite シテ roles of young women, particularly in third category "wig" plays. Compare to *wakaonna 若女, *fushikizou 節木増.

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