Lot 35
Polychromed Lacquered Wood Gigaku Mask, 18th/19th Century
Exhibited:
Gigaku is an ancient dance drama introduced from Korea to Japan during the 7th century. There are typically fifteen characters involved in the ‘silent mime’ dance accompanied with musical instruments. Gigaku was performed extensively near temples and shrines in order to promote Buddhist principles, but was no longer commonly practiced by the 10th century.