【Important notes】

・International Buyers: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility.
・Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying. These duties are paid to your country's customs office and not to us. Prompt payment of these fees is necessary to ensure delivery of your item.
・Please note: VAT paid to Catawiki is separate from and do not cover import duties, or customs charges in your country. You may still be required to pay additional fees upon delivery, as determined by your local customs authorities.

【Product details】

This exquisite Noh mask, hand-carved by the renowned Shōwa-era Noh mask artist Nakajima Senun, represents Uba—an old woman of divine character. Uba masks are used in significant Noh plays, most notably in Takasago, where they appear alongside the Kōjo (old man) mask. While the mask depicts an aged woman, it carries a symbolic role beyond mere representation of old age. Often, Uba masks portray women as divine beings or embodiments of wisdom and spiritual fulfillment, as seen in plays such as Settai and Taema, where Uba takes on the role of an enlightened nun.

The craftsmanship of Nakajima Senun is apparent in the delicate detailing of the mask's serene, dignified expression, bringing a quiet elegance to this important Noh character. The mask’s interior is inscribed with the artist’s signature, while the inside of the box lid also features Senun’s handwritten signature and seal, underscoring its authenticity and value.

This mask comes with its original wooden box and a silk storage bag. There are some signs of aging, such as wear, fading, stains, and a small mark on the right cheek, adding to its historical character. Please refer to the photographs for further details on the condition.

Dimensions: approx. H 21 cm W 13 cm D 6.5 cm

・Please make sure to review all the provided information and images before placing your bid.
・We make every effort to accurately represent the product's colors and textures in our photos. However, due to differences in monitors and device displays, as well as photographic conditions, slight color variations between the photos and the actual product may occur. We ask for your understanding in advance.

Thank you for your interest, and happy bidding!

Seller's Story

※Regarding the shipping for our private free shipping auction held from December 21 to December 29, 2024, please note that shipments will begin sequentially from January 4 of the following year※ Welcome to Yorozuya Arinsu! We are an antique shop based on the outskirts of Tokyo, originally focusing on the Japanese market but proudly expanding to serve international customers. In August 2023, we became a pro seller on Catawiki, and since then, we’ve enjoyed sharing our passion for Japanese art and antiques with collectors worldwide. Our collection includes a diverse range of items, from genuine antiques to contemporary art pieces. We take pride in offering unique, high-quality objects that reflect Japan’s rich cultural heritage as well as modern creativity. If there’s something specific you’re looking for, feel free to reach out to us on Instagram: yorozuya_arinsu. Thank you for visiting our shop, and we look forward to helping you find your next special piece!

【Important notes】

・International Buyers: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility.
・Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying. These duties are paid to your country's customs office and not to us. Prompt payment of these fees is necessary to ensure delivery of your item.
・Please note: VAT paid to Catawiki is separate from and do not cover import duties, or customs charges in your country. You may still be required to pay additional fees upon delivery, as determined by your local customs authorities.

【Product details】

This exquisite Noh mask, hand-carved by the renowned Shōwa-era Noh mask artist Nakajima Senun, represents Uba—an old woman of divine character. Uba masks are used in significant Noh plays, most notably in Takasago, where they appear alongside the Kōjo (old man) mask. While the mask depicts an aged woman, it carries a symbolic role beyond mere representation of old age. Often, Uba masks portray women as divine beings or embodiments of wisdom and spiritual fulfillment, as seen in plays such as Settai and Taema, where Uba takes on the role of an enlightened nun.

The craftsmanship of Nakajima Senun is apparent in the delicate detailing of the mask's serene, dignified expression, bringing a quiet elegance to this important Noh character. The mask’s interior is inscribed with the artist’s signature, while the inside of the box lid also features Senun’s handwritten signature and seal, underscoring its authenticity and value.

This mask comes with its original wooden box and a silk storage bag. There are some signs of aging, such as wear, fading, stains, and a small mark on the right cheek, adding to its historical character. Please refer to the photographs for further details on the condition.

Dimensions: approx. H 21 cm W 13 cm D 6.5 cm

・Please make sure to review all the provided information and images before placing your bid.
・We make every effort to accurately represent the product's colors and textures in our photos. However, due to differences in monitors and device displays, as well as photographic conditions, slight color variations between the photos and the actual product may occur. We ask for your understanding in advance.

Thank you for your interest, and happy bidding!

Seller's Story

※Regarding the shipping for our private free shipping auction held from December 21 to December 29, 2024, please note that shipments will begin sequentially from January 4 of the following year※ Welcome to Yorozuya Arinsu! We are an antique shop based on the outskirts of Tokyo, originally focusing on the Japanese market but proudly expanding to serve international customers. In August 2023, we became a pro seller on Catawiki, and since then, we’ve enjoyed sharing our passion for Japanese art and antiques with collectors worldwide. Our collection includes a diverse range of items, from genuine antiques to contemporary art pieces. We take pride in offering unique, high-quality objects that reflect Japan’s rich cultural heritage as well as modern creativity. If there’s something specific you’re looking for, feel free to reach out to us on Instagram: yorozuya_arinsu. Thank you for visiting our shop, and we look forward to helping you find your next special piece!
Era
1900-2000
Material
Uba 姥 by Nakajima Senun 中島仙雲 with Original Wooden Box and Silk Pouch
Country of Origin
Japan
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Estimated Period
Showa period

992 reviews (478 in last 12 months)
  1. 468
  2. 10
  3. 0

Bought this beautiful Japanese wooden mask and when it arrived I loved it even more. Great piece of historical Japanese culture. Shipment was quick and the communication was very pleasant. Thank you!

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user-b37faf30c5fc

Nice item, very well packed good communication and service!

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chineseartgallery01

Item as described quick service very well packed!

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chineseartgallery01

j'adore. Merciiiiiiiii. joyeuses fêtes 🥳

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user-e380eab4e530

sehr schönes Schwert. Angaben in der Beschreibung korrekt. Lieferung aus Japan nach Deutschland unkompliziert und schnell. Kommunikation mit dem Verkäufer hat hervorragend geklappt. Sehr nette Leute.

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user-3a867b1e323d

Très bien Conforme à la description. Envoi très correct

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user-268255f343be

zeer goed verpakt en erg snel bezorgd perfect

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user-15770c58107e

Es ist wirklich sehr schön und bin sehr zufrieden , sehr großen Dank an den Verkäufer und auch an den Künstler , schöne Feiertage 🙏❗️

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user-077b498

Super fast shipping!! Also item was extremely well packed. What else to except when ordering from Japan. Thank you!

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user-928dd48237fe

Très réactif . Excellente communication

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user-da987ed

Delighted with natsume. Great seller. Thanks!

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user-6c64c23

nice object perfect service Thank you

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user-86b4d7fc3745

Ontvangen zoals op de foto's. Goed ingepakt verzonden.

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user-0812c156f8a1

The product came faster than expected. The product is complete and is exactly as the description and photos state. Very good service, thank you!

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user-47297f3a9f66

Very nice object. Thank you very much.

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user-aadfd58

Again anything is perfect. Many thanks from Germany.

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user-023023895e3f

Preiswert, super schnell, perfekt verpackt! Bin sehr zufrieden, vielen Dank.

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user-e1d6d90bd4c5

very quick service, Thank you

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user-86b4d7fc3745

Lot de masques noh conforme et bien emballés/protégés. Les frais en plus, VAT et dédouanement, corsent sérieusement la note (30% en plus des 9% de catawiki) mais le vendeur n'y est pour rien !

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user-009be88

Parfait,le vendeur a pris soin de bien emballer

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user-1058731
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992 reviews (478 in last 12 months)
  1. 468
  2. 10
  3. 0

Bought this beautiful Japanese wooden mask and when it arrived I loved it even more. Great piece of historical Japanese culture. Shipment was quick and the communication was very pleasant. Thank you!

View translation
user-b37faf30c5fc