Gigaku Mask of Young Persian Boy (Taikōji)
Unknown Artist
710–94
Medium
paulownia wood, lacquered and painted
Dimensions
28 × 21 × 18.5 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Japanese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
John L. Severance Fund
Accession Number
1949.158
About this artwork
This mask is for the role of the son of an old Persian widower in gigaku, a theatrical dance repertoire imported to Japan from continental Asia during the seventh century. The old man and his sons mime prayers to the Buddha. While the mask would cover the entire head of the actor, there are openings for the eyes, nostrils, and mouth.