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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Wood: Pre 1920: Item # 1487467

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AfricAsia Primitive and Antiques
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120 Impasse de La Borie
81170 Livers Cazelles, FRANCE
(0033) 6 32 63 98 15

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Old mask of the Noh traditional theater representing the character of Yamauba or Yamamba, with an emaciated face, dishevelled hair, and a sinister smile. The mask is made of wood, painted to ehance its features, and with brass eyes. The mask is signed. Japan, early 20th century. Height: 21 cm. Some abrasion due to age and wear, otherwise very good condition. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. NOTE: According to legend, Yama Uba or "The Mountain Witch" is a demon from Japanese folklore who lives in a hut in the mountains and eats anyone who is unfortunate enough to cross her path. She is a hideous old hag with long straggily, yellowed hair, piercing eyes, tattered clothing and a gaping mouth that stretches across her entire face. The Mountain Witch was once a normal old woman, living in a small village in Japan. But the area experienced a terrible famine and food became scarce. Her children didn’t want to feed her anymore so they drove her out of the village and left her in the woods to die of starvation. But Yama Uba didn’t die. She made her way up into the mountains and found shelter in a cave. Villagers started to believe that living alone for so many years gradually drove her insane and she became a cannibal, existing on the flesh of people she killed.