Galerie Mingei

Kotobide Nô mask

Japan

Sculptor: Deme Mitsunaga known as Kogenkyū (?-1672)
Fourth head of the family of the House of Deme d'Echizen, his burnt seal engraved on the inner face
Edo 17th century
Hinoki (Japanese cypress wood), pigments and lacquer

The noh Kotobide mask represents the spirit of a fox or other earthly spirit. A gaping mouth, exposing a wide red tongue and upper and lower teeth, pulls the cheeks up and brings out the circular, metallic eyeballs to create an overall expression of fearlessness. The mask's nose is flat and the black-painted eyebrows arch high above the eyes. Used by the protagonists, shite シテ, in the second act of plays such as KOKAJI 小鍛冶, SESSHOUSEKI 殺生石 and KAPPO 合浦.

The Mingei Gallery is specialized in ancient and contemporary decorative arts from Japan. Located in the heart of the Parisian district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the gallery is directed by Philippe Boudin and his daughter Zoé Niang. The gallery is renowned for its thematic exhibitions and monographs devoted to artists.

Mingei Gallery is the ambassador of Japanese bamboo basketry. It is the most important European gallery promoting this specialty. The exhibition "Fendre l'Air, l'art du bambou au Japon" (November 27, 2018 until April 7, 2019) at the Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac has largely contributed to the recognition of this art in Europe. The Mingei Gallery has actively participated in the production of this exhibition that has marked the memories.

Thematic exhibition:

Classic and Contemporary Art of Japan

5 rue Visconti 75006 Paris
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