Demon mask

Object Details

• Label

  The use of masks in dance, court ritual, processions, and religious ceremonies expanded and flourished under the patronage of the Japanese imperial court during the seventh and eighth centuries, when a wide variety of performance, dance, and musical forms reached Japan from Korea, China, Southeast and West Asia. The elaborate carved and polychromed wood masks for these performances were probably produced by the sculptors of Buddhist icons, but in later periods, mask carving became a specialized skill that was often fostered within families.

  This mask representing a demon would have been used in shrine rituals and dance performances. The mask has a striking form with large eyebrows detailed with parallel ridges. The glossy red surface appears to be lacquered, and the eyes may once have been gilded.

• Provenance

  To 2003

  Seymour J. Janow, Washington, DC, acquired in Japan, to 2003 [1]

  From 2003

  Freer Gallery of Art, given by the family of Seymour J. Janow in 2003

  Notes:

  [1] According to Curatorial Note 1, Ann Yonemura, September 30, 2003, in the object record.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Japanese Art from the Collection (October 26, 2024 - ongoing)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Mrs. Selma Janow

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  Collected by Seymour J. Janow and Gifted in his memory by his Family

• Type

  Mask

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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• Date

  1700s, 1710s, 1720s, 1770s, 1780s, 1790s, 1730s, 1740s, 1750s, 1760s, 1800s, 1810s, 1820s, 1830s, 1610s, 1600s, 1650s, 1640s, 1630s, 1620s, 1690s, 1840s, 1680s, 1850s, 1670s, 1860s, 1660s

• Name

  Janow, Selma

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Art, Momoyama period (1573 - 1615), Wood, Demon, Edo period, Japan, (1600 - 1868), Japanese Art, Lacquer

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Masks