Noh Mask

Noh is a form of Japanese theatre that grew out of military rule and esoteric Buddhism. It was created by a Japanese actor, Kan'ami, in the 14th century and is a distinctly Japanese art form, not reaching popularity with the larger world. The living tradition of Noh theatre betrays the importance of tradition in the Japanese representation. This mask, a part of that tradition, embodies the Japanese focus on tradition (and abstraction) in identity and history.
A wistful old man is a key character in many Noh plays. The plot and primary character in Noh theatre are often pulled from Japanese history or legend, examples include a literal battle or a god figure from lore. As the faces are quite nondescript, when a character is identified, it is through name or clothing.
The identity of the main character is often disguised or obscured. The non-descript face and disguised identity affirm that the focus of Noh theatre is more tangibly on the emotion of the play and structure of a Japanese cultural tradition. The plot and character are the methods through which the cultural tradition is communicated.