Shishi mask with movable lower jaw, of a fairly small size. Kiri wood (Paulownia), cleverly carved using the woodgrain to accentuate the curves in the face, and stained with a reddish color. The bushy eyebrows, nose, mane and lines in the forehead stained black, the ears held together by cotton rope. Holes in the back of the head show where the cloth of the lion costume was attached. Beautiful piece of mingei folk art.
Japan, mid-19th century.
Height 5.5 in. (13.9 cm), width 8.9 in. (22.6 cm), depth 7.4 in. (18.8 cm).
Bottom of lower jaw slightly rubbed; some stress cracks in upper lip, between front teeth and at back of head; black staining rubbed, one ear repaired. Very good and stable condition.
This mask was used in the shishimai lion dance performed during New Year. In the strict meaning of the word, this is not a mask. It was not put on the head, although the dancer would be able to see where he was going through the open mouth of the lion head. The more proper name for this is shishigashira, literally lion head.
