Gigaku Masks
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Gigaku Mask: Suiko-ō
Asuka–Nara period, 8th century (National Treasure)The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures Room 3
April 23, 2024 (Tue) - April 20, 2025 (Sun)Gigaku was an outdoor Buddhist ceremony in which actors wearing large masks performed skits while parading to the accompaniment of music. Gigaku was introduced into Japan from the Korean kingdom of Baekje in the first half of the 7th century. After flourishing in the 7th and 8th centuries, however, it lost popularity and eventually ceased to be performed. The Hōryūji Treasures include 19 Gigaku masks made from camphor wood, nine made from paulownia wood, and three made with the dry lacquer technique. The camphor masks were most likely created between the second half of the 7th and the beginning of the 8th century, while the rest are thought to have been made in the 8th century.
On display only on Fridays and Saturdays
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| National Treasure | "Gigaku" Mask: "Shishiko" | Asuka period, 7th century | N-208 | ||||
| National Treasure | "Gigaku" Mask: "Chidô" | Asuka period, 7th century | N-209 | ||||
| Highlight | National Treasure | "Gigaku" Mask: "Karura" | Asuka period, 7th century | N-215 | |||
| Highlight | National Treasure | "Gigaku" Mask: "Suikoô" | Asuka–Nara period, 8th century | N-231 |