Mask 1715

This 18th-century Japanese "Mask" by Myōchin Muneakira is a powerful example of the artistic and technical skill of the Myōchin family, renowned for their metalwork. Crafted from iron, this mask features a menacing expression, characterized by exaggerated features and a fierce, open mouth. The detailed rendering and realistic depiction of the mask, a demon or ogre, would have been used in traditional Japanese theatre, evoking fear and awe in the audience. The mask's presence in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, underscores its cultural significance and artistic merit.