Kyogen Masks: Humor of the Medieval Times
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Kyogen Mask, Usobuki type, Muromachi - Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 14
December 11, 2012 (Tue) - January 27, 2013 (Sun)Kyogen theater, which was popular during medieval times, amuses its audience using comical phrases in tales connected to ordinary lives. Humorous gestures and caricatures of the "distinguished" nobility and priests, in addition to rhymes and puns, are some of the comic elements in Kyogen. We hope visitors share the relaxed humor of medieval Japanese people from the masks, and enjoy their next experience at the Kyogen theater.
Current exhibit includes:
Kyogen Mask, Bishamon type, Muromachi period, 15th - 16th century
Kyogen Mask, Oji type, Muromachi - Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century
Kyogen Mask, Oto type, Muromachi - Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century
Kyogen Mask, Usobuki type, Muromachi - Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century
Kyogen Mask, Buaku type, Muromachi - Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century
Kyogen Mask, Saru (monkey) type, Muromachi - Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century