Antique Kokushijō mask with the authors name.
 
The present mask represents Kokushijō , the adult lion (shishi) of the Noh repertory, most prominently employed in the climactic scene of the play Shakkyō (Ishibashi). This mask embodies the sacred guardian lion of Buddhist cosmology, a powerful and awe-inspiring presence charged with protecting the sanctified realm beyond the stone bridge.
Carved with commanding vigor, the mask is distinguished by its fully developed fangs, broad and forceful jaw, and intensely opened eyes, all of which convey strength, spiritual authority, and dynamic motion. The pronounced brow, deep-set eye sockets, and sharply articulated mouth reflect the mature character of the adult lion, clearly differentiating it from the softer and more youthful Kojishi mask often paired with it in performance. The expression is intentionally ferocious yet dignified, capturing the moment of divine manifestation rather than mere animal aggression.
In performance, Kokushijō appears during the latter half of Shakkyō, where the lion emerges as a manifestation of Buddhist law (buppō), dancing with overwhelming energy and ritual intensity. The mask’s design facilitates dramatic shifts of expression under changing light and movement, a fundamental aesthetic principle of Noh (omote no hataraki). When tilted, the features alternately project wrath, solemn guardianship, and transcendent vitality.
Stylistically, Kokushijō masks adhere to a lineage of forms transmitted through major Noh schools, particularly associated with the Kanze and Kongō traditions, though individual carving nuances may reflect workshop or period distinctions. Traditionally finished in deep tones and paired with an expansive lion’s mane (kashira-gami), the mask functions not merely as theatrical equipment but as a ritual object symbolizing cosmic order and spiritual trial.
As a type, Kokushijō occupies a special position within the Noh mask canon: neither human nor purely bestial, it represents the liminal threshold between the earthly and the sacred, making it one of the most visually and symbolically powerful masks in classical Japanese theater.
 
Condition:
Very good
 
Original box preserved.