A week ago we started looking at the power of masks and yesterday we focused on an art event in Japan. Let's combine the two things as the starting point for this new post. If you like Japanese masks and you would like to start a collection (or are just on the lookout for unusual inspirations or for an accessory for a runway show…), you should indeed check out Tatami Antiques' site.
As you may remember from a previous post, Tatami Antiques is an independent online marketplace for Japanese antiquities and one of their dealers, Hotoke, often puts online unique masks.
In the past Hotoke has sold a very detailed Onna-men, a Noh mask of a woman, and a Yoroboshi mask from the Showa period, that is a Noh wood carving mask for a young blind boy frequenting the temple of Tennouji begging for alms characterised by an expression of intense grief and spiritual deliverance.
At the moment Hotoke has got a Kushiinadahime, or Japanese Kagura wood carving mask, that is a Noh mask of "Ko-Omote", used for a local kagura dance in the Okayama prefecture called "Bicchu Kagura" ($150, enquiries here) and two Japanese folk wood carving hannya masks, one in colour and another one in plain wood, both for kagura theatrical performances and both portraying the soul of a woman who has became a demon due to obsession or jealousy ($200 and $280; enquiries here and here).
The peculiarity of these masks is that the wearers has to grip the wooden piece attached to the interior of the mask between their teeth to hold the mask in place.
If you're looking instead for fashion-related antiquities, check out the early 20th century sample books of coloured silk textiles or kimonos from Kyoto-based fabric dealers.
Often sold at less than $200, these unique compositions of fabrics are an absolute bargain and they can provide intriguing inspirations for prints and colour palettes.
