koakujou　小悪尉

KEY WORD :　art history / sculptures

A noh mask *noumen 能面 representing a fierce, old man. Koakujou's features -nose, eyes, high cheekbones, and mouth- and overall scale are all of human dimension and form, resembling those of *joumen 尉面 masks. The metallic eyes, however, that look straight forward, the red tongue, and the metal plates lining the upper and lower teeth are common features. The stern expression, especially around the mouth, reveals koakujou's strength of character. In addition to the tan planted horsehair below the nose and lower lip and on the chin, black and white hair is painted around the upper lip and above the eyes for eyebrows. The mask is colored a dark, earthy yellow. Used exclusively by the Houshou 宝生 school when other schools use *myouga akujou 茗荷悪尉 and amazakuro akujou 甘柘榴悪尉 for roles like the spurned gardener in KOI-NO-OMONI 恋重荷 or the dragon god in NEZAME 寝覚 or CHOURYOU 張良. For the former, the special derivative mask, omoni akujou 重荷悪尉, can also be used.

REFERENCES:

*ooakujou 大悪尉, *kijinmen 鬼神面

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NOTES:

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