Until 1st Aug, 2023

Buy it now

 
 

A POWERFUL AND RARE WOOD TONKOTSU IN THE FORM OF A HANNYA MASK
Lot 349 - NE0423

Buy now for €2,600.00



Lot details

Unsigned
Japan, 19th century

Well carved as a Hannya mask for the role of Kiyohime, with bulging eyes double-inlaid in pale and dark horn, the mouth wide open in a ferocious scream showing tongue and teeth flanked by sharp fangs, the hair neatly incised and wrinkles deeply carved, the interior of the hinged cover carved with a striker, forming a himotoshi underneath.

LENGTH 9.6 cm

Condition: Good condition with minor wear, light scratches. A small repair to the edge of the cover.

The Hannya mask represents a female serpent-demon filled with malicious jealousy and hatred. The mask is worn by the protagonist (shite) in the second acts of the Noh plays Aoi no Ue, Dojoji, Kurozaka, and Momijigari. The first two plays depict women betrayed or spurned by their lovers; the second two portray demons who first appear in human form to trap the unwary. Several traditions account for the name Hannya: the most plausible account traces the origins of the mask to the mask carver Hannyabo who was active in the late 15th or early 16th century. The bell striker, which forms the cord attachment in the present tonkotsu, indicates that this particular Hannya mask was used for the Dojoji play for the role of Kiyohime.

 
 

How to Buy Online

You must log in or create an online account in order to buy items from the shop.

Click the red 'Buy it Now' button to buy this item. You will then be able to download your invoice and receive instructions about how to pay. Prices include Buyer's Premium. 

If you would like to buy multiple items at the same time, add the items you want to your cart. You will then be able to check out with multiple items simultaneously.

Items in your cart are not reserved. Please complete the purchase process promptly to secure the items.

How to Buy Offline

If you would like to buy one of these items outside of the online shop, please contact us at office@zacke.at or +43 (1) 532 04 52.

Our Terms and Conditions

As part of our ongoing efforts to keep our auctions fair and transparent, we encourage you to read our terms and conditions thoroughly. We urge you to read through §34-50) to ensure you understand them. These terms are specifically designed to protect all serious and committed buyers from bidding against non-payers who attempt to inflate prices without the intent of paying their auction bills.

For further reading about non-payers at auction, go here: https://www.zacke.at/aboutnonpayers/.

The main points include the following:

  • Bidders must complete their due diligence and clarify all questions about the objects before the auction. After the auction, Zacke will not answer questions from bidders unless the purchase price has been paid in full. Of course, this does not apply to questions concerning shipping, insurance, customs, etc.
  • A sale cancellation of any kind after the fall of the hammer is not possible. The only exception to this fundamental rule is our guarantee of authenticity [the Guarantee].
  • A Guarantee Claim, however, can only be raised after the purchase price has been paid in full by the buyer and within 45 days after the auction day.

If you have any questions about our policies, please get in touch with us at office@zacke.at.

By placing a bid, you agree to our Terms of Auction and Terms and Conditions.