Living Artists of Japan: The Face Behind the Mask - Noh Mask Maker

A visit to a master carver of Noh masks is made special not so much for his craft, but for the quiet, intense presence of this Zen abbot. As he demonstrates the various stages of production for a typical mask, his story slowly unfolds... "So I began to carve. I had a block of cypress wood. I even had a few chisels. However, though the master gave me some guidance, I had to learn how to carve by myself. This craft cannot be taught. The few students that I have had always wanted me to do the difficult parts for them. But that is the very thing that they should be doing. If you do the very best you can, putting your whole self into your work, it will be good. It will be gold. It is not a matter of comparing one's work with that of another. This is true of anything we do in life."

For many years, he just carved masks, from early morning until late at night. "Carving masks was more important to me than eating or sleeping. Anything done completely, 100%, results in transcending mind and emotions. This is the path that I had chosen. In many ways, carving masks is the same as sitting Zazen. In reality, it actually doesn't matter what you choose as your life's occupation. As long as you create or produce something that is real; something good; something gold. People ask me if my carving has improved over the years. I really can't answer that. Each mask is different and I approach each one as if I am carving for the first time. Others may like or dislike what we do. If we do our work slowly, carefully, patiently, with the mind of a beginner and the very best we can, the work will be good."

There are five principal Noh theater groups and over 300 different masks. The masks are carved from blocks of fine hinoki cypress. All of the carving is done with chisels, from large ones for gross cuts to very tiny ones for the subtlest refining. After the mask takes on its general shape, holes for the eye pupils are cut and the mask becomes "alive." After more refining, the back is lacquered, and the seal of the carver is burnished into the wood. Next, a coat of a white oyster shell-based paint is brushed on very thinly. "Upon applying one coat, I am suddenly able to notice bumps and imperfections that had been invisible to me before. After chiseling off about 80% of the white coat, I apply another coat and, again remove about 80% with a chisel. This is repeated about 100 times, until the mask is completely smooth and white. Each coat is applied thinly, to prevent peeling. The last refining of the surface is done with extremely fine sandpaper.

The last step is to apply the "make-up," consisting of facial coloring, eyebrows, hair, hairline and lip color. This step takes about three days to complete.

Throughout Japan there are artists who continue the traditions of the past, practicing their arts, passing them down and incorporating modern materials with ancient skills. This series introduces you to some of the many artists throughout Japan who are continuing these traditions.

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