Japanese Meiji Bronze Noh Actor by Matsumori, 1860

Details

Description

Japanese bronze noh actor, meiji period (1868-1912), signed 'matsumori' the cloak man, with detatchable mask.

the figure is a noh … Read more Japanese bronze noh actor, meiji period (1868-1912), signed 'matsumori' the cloak man, with detatchable mask.

the figure is a noh actor in a dramatic stance with arms outstretched. He wears traditional, heavily decorated robes—often featuring auspicious motifs like cranes or pines—and a tall ceremonial hat. In his right hand, he holds afolding fan, a common prop used in noh performances to represent various objects or add eloquence to a dance.

a distinctive feature of this sculpture is the detachable bronze mask. In traditional noh theatre, masks are essential for portraying characters, and this specific mask likely represents "okina," a character associated with longevity, peace, and auspiciousness.

these statues are typically cast in patinated bronze, sometimes with silvered or gilt highlights to accentuate the robe's intricate details. Many surviving examples date to the meiji period (1868–1912) or the showa era (1926–1989) and are often signed by the artist on the back or base

h: 32cm

d: 14cm

w: 28cm See less