Family Gallery The Emotions Behind Noh Masks
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Noh Mask: Waka Shakumi
Engraved: "Created by Zairen/Kumadayū of Heisenji Temple", Passed down by the Konparu troupe, Muromachi period, 15th–16th century (Important Cultural Property)Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 4
September 1, 2026 (Tue) - October 25, 2026 (Sun)In Japanese, there is an expression, “like a Noh mask,” which refers to an expressionless face. In reality,however, Noh masks are full of emotion. The characters who appear in Noh plays each have specific roles and corresponding emotions, which are emphasized through the movements and gestures of the performers on stage, heightening the drama of the story.
In this exhibition, we invite you to compare a variety of Noh masks. Try imagining, from their “expressions,” what kinds of roles they represent and what kinds of emotions they convey.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Noh Mask: Waka Shakumi | Engraved: "Created by Zairen/Kumadayū of Heisenji Temple", Passed down by the Konparu troupe | Muromachi period, 15th–16th century | C-1567 | ||
| Highlight | Noh Mask: Okina | Muromachi period, 15th–16th century | C-1879-1 | ||||
| Highlight | Noh Mask: Han'nya | Inscribed in red: "Omi utsu" | Edo period, 17th–18th century | C-173 | |||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Noh Mask: Ōtobide | Passed down by the Konparu troupe | Muromachi period, 15th–16th century | C-1545 |