Japanese Masks: Bugaku and Gyodo

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Gyodo Mask: Gobujogoten, Formerly passed down at Niutsuhime Jinja, Wakayama, Kamakura period, 14th century

Japanese Masks: Bugaku and Gyodo

Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 14 : May 23, 2017 (Tue) - August 27, 2017 (Sun)

A large variety of masks have been used throughout Japan’s long history. This exhibition presents masks that were used in Bugaku, a dance performed at the imperial court, and Gyodo, a Buddhist ritual procession.
Although Bugaku was based on music and dance introduced from China, Korea, and Vietnam, it was consolidated into a uniquely Japanese form. The distinctive masks of Bugaku, which feature movable eyes, jaws, and noses, may depict creatures such as dragons and cranes, or humans with exaggerated features. Gyodo masks, which portray deities such as Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, were donned by performers who would proceed in a line around a Buddhist temple.
Try to image what the performers of Bugaku and Gyodo would have looked like while donning these masks.

Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.

Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.

Bodhisattva Mask, Kamakura period, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Juzo Jinja, Ishikawa)
Bugaku Mask: Kotokuraku, Heian period, dated 1160 (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Tamukeyama Hachimangu, Nara)
Bugaku Mask: Nasori, Heian period, dated 1178 (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Atsuta Jingu, Aichi, on exhibit through July 9, 2017)
Bugaku Mask: Warawamai, Kamakura period, dated 1211(Important Cultural Property, Lent by Masumida Jinja, Aichi, on exhibit from July 11, 2017)
Gyodo Mask: Gobujogoten, Formerly passed down at Niutsuhime Jinja, Wakayama, Kamakura period, 14th century