waraijou　笑尉

KEY WORD :　art history / sculptures

"Laughing old man." A noh mask *noumen 能面, representing a plebeian old man. Its prominent, round muscular cheeks, open areas around the eyes, gentle shallow curves below the eyebrows, and broad smile create a friendly expression. Faint wrinkles are carved in the middle of the forehead. Strong upper and lower teeth are clearly visible. Moustache, beard, and head hair are of implanted tan horsehair. Worn by the old fisher, farmer or hunter in the first act of plays like NOMORI 野守, UKAI 鵜飼, HIUN 飛雲, and UTOU 善知烏 where the figure changes in the second act into a ghost, demon, fierce god, dragon god, or supernatural being. A warajou with leering smile, sickle eyes, and strong personality is housed in the Kasuga Jinja 春日神社, Gifu prefecture. Dating to the 15c, it has been attributed to the 15c carver Shakuzuru 赤鶴　from the incised insignia "ittousaku." The Kanze 観世 family, Tokyo, possess a well-carved waraijou dating to the Muromachi period and is designated as an important cultural property.

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