Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: Noh mask

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French version

Noh mask

能面
alternative words: Nomen, Noumen, No men, Nou men
keywords: theater
related topics: Noh , Sarugaku , Muromachi period , Sengoku period
related web sites: http://nohmask21.com , http://www.nohmask.net , http://www1.odn.ne.jp/noh-masks/ , http://www.geocities.jp/fukuyama_gensei/
explanation: Masks used in Noh drama. Made with woods, mostly "hinoki" (Japanese cypress), its size is little smaller than an average adult face. Originated from masks of sarugaku during Muromachi period, initially there was a proliferation of free expressions, then standardized during late Sengoku period to about 200 varieties. They are classified according to characters: young woman, handsome man, old man, revengeful ghost, demon. Some masks can give different expressions by changing the inclination.