Kagura mask of a demon (oni)

This mask was designed and carved by Hideta Kitazawa who is internationally recognised for his expertise and adventurous approach to contemporary mask-making. Like his father Ikkyou Kitazawa, the artist also specialises in Shinto temple carvings and has completed commissions for Japan’s imperial family. Kitazawa’s masks are chiselled by hand before being painted and lacquered.

This small mask was inspired by an old mask made for a child performer. It represents an oni, a gigantic, muscular demon with red, blue or green skin, exaggerated features, horns and bulging eyes. Often fearsome, oni can also be comical and skittish. In the tale of Momotarō (peach boy), oni were subdued by the boy accompanied by a dog, a monkey and a pheasant.