A Rare Hinoki Mask of ‘Ja’

A Rare Hinoki Mask of ‘Ja’
Painted with an earthen red polychrome over gesso, with fine sparse hair, the cheeks with distinctive v-shaped markings, suggestive of dragon’s whiskers, the eye balls in inset gilt copper
Wood, gesso, metal, gilt, pigment
Japan
Edo Period / 17th to 18th Century

Size: 26cm high - 10¼ ins high

Provenance:
Au Bon Marche, Paris, (label from the early 20th Century)
Ex Private French collection
Ex Irish collection

It is probable that this mask was not intended for theatrical purposes, but rather as a temple offering. The inscription appears to refer to a specific location (Nakabashich?) and an individual or donor (Tenya J?bei).

Ink inscription on the reverse: “nakabashich? tenya j?bei”