O-beshimi – [Noh mask]

Description

O-beshimi – 癋見 / 閉歯見 – “Mouth clenched shut” – [Noh Mask]

• About this mask: This angry looking Noh mask with Magnificent thick eyebrows, glimmering golden eyes and a huge nose with great flaring nostrils! – Typically it represents a tengu with his mouth clenched firmly shut! – implying that he is holding back his immense power – [Either that Or another powerful god, demon or deity, these O-Beshimi style’d masks where largely inspired (or directly based off)  ‘Nio’ statues which you’ll often find near Buddhist temples across Japan, India and China.)]

This mask is famously included In the Noh plays surrounding Ushiwakamaru (Minamoto no Yoshitsune.) often representing Mount Karumas Tengu King. – [see also: Shojobo!] otherwise, in a semi-connected play, Kakasaka, where in it features as the ghost of a robber named Chōrei. (Chorei was said to have murdered Ushiwakamarus mom!) – Although typically it does represent a Tengu in theatre, perhaps it should not be overly confused with Hanataka Tengu Masks. (👺Which commonly appear in dances and parades.)

[Bottom right, Toriyama Sekiens Hyakki Treasure Bokkuro [1784]]

An O-Beshimi mask also appears to be one of the five which appear among the “Menreiki.” (Spirit mask) Tsukumogami which was earliest featured in Toriyama Sekiens Hyakki Treasure Bokkuro [1784]. The Obishemi there seems to have veins & a the mouth feels slightly ajar, which the Beshimi masks typically dont. (O-beshimi means “Closed firmly shut”) – so as Toriyama describes; it definitely “feels alive.” As if it were brought to life by the actors talents – (Note: My art is supposed to remind you of the living mask featured there rather than an ordinary bishemi! see also Menreiki)

[art sticker by samkalensky part of my “did you noh” collection of stickers! follow and support for more!]