Netsuke in the Form of an Okame Mask

Netsuke in the Form of an Okame Mask is held by Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe. Museum description: The wooden netsuke is carved in the shape of an "Okame" mask and refers to Noh theater.

Noh is a form of traditional Japanese theater that, until the 20th century, was performed exclusively by men, partly danced and accompanied by music. Usually the main actor ("shite") wore a mask. The traditional themes derived from Japanese or Chinese mythology or literature. The mask with two circles on the high forehead indicating the eyebrows, the broad, flat nose, the open mouth with four teeth, and the pointed chin point to the famous netsuke carver Shûzan.

The thick strands of hair frame a smiling full-moon face with round cheeks. It represents the Shinto goddess Okame, a popular motif in Japanese art who embodies joie de vivre and sensuality. On the back is the The museum record gives measurements height: 5.0 cm, width: 3.65 cm, depth: 2.15 cm. These details come from the holding museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.