Shishi mask. (Sold)

A wood lion mask (shishi-men) in the Mingei tradition.
This kind of masks with movable jaws were used at Shintō and Buddhist festivals at the New Year celebrations.

They were not worn on the face as the lion dance is performed by two dancers under a long cloth.
The front dancer is holding the mask at arm’s lenght, his arm becoming the lion’s neck under the cloth that cover the dancers’ bodied.

Unsigned

19th Cent.

20,5 x 23,5 cm

Status: Sold

Item no. OJ 19