Okame (Otafuku) Mask
Okame (Otafuku) Mask
Okame (Otafuku) Mask

Okame (Otafuku) Mask


Collection

Dan Przybylski Collection


Collection

Global Connections


Identifier

PR47


Artist

unknown


Description

This is a wood carved mask from Japan known as an Okame or Otafuku mask. Otafuku represents a lovely, always smiling Japanese woman who brings happiness and good fortune to any man she marries. She is also known as the Goddess of Mirth and is a very popular image in Japanese culture. Otafuku literally means “Much Good Fortune”, and Okame means “Tortoise”, also a lucky symbol for long life. Though this mask is decorative, traditional Okame masks would be worn in Noh theater performances. The piece was mostly carved from one piece of wood and then lacquered.


Medium

wood

Width

7in

Height

9.25in

Length

3.5in

Where Made (Country)

Japan

Related place

Japan

How Acquired

Donation

When Acquired

Oct 10 2018

Name of Donor

Austin Friends of Folk Art