Japanese Noh Bugaku Mask of Korobase. Meiji Period c.1900

The Korobase dance, also called Tsurumai (Crane Dance), is a slow, quiet dance involving four dancers in matching masks. The dancers depict cranes, and the calls of the cranes are characterized by the bells hanging from their beak tips. The dance allegedly comes from two Chinese folklore myths. In one, eight Chinese recluses living on Mt. Konron descend into the city, and in the other, cranes dance on the shore to the music of a Chinese zither.

The dancers create a square and do a slow, coordinated series of movements in the traditional dance. The dance comes to a climax when the Korobase (cranes) join hands and move in a circle and, with their dark blue robes' sleeves, act out the takeoff and flight of the cranes.

Finely carved and lacquered in gold, red, black and brown pigments with a fierce expression. The grooved forehead with furrowed brows and large bulging gilt eyes. Internally there's a contemporary paper label.

It measures approximately 19cm x 23cm x 12cm

Good+ condition with expected minimal wear, light scratches/bumps.

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