Bitchu Kagura Mask "Susanoo-no-Mikoto"

This is a mask of Susanoo-no-Mikoto, one of the masks used in Bitchu Kagura, a traditional performing art from the Bitchu region of Okayama Prefecture.

*Bitchu Kagura is a traditional performing art passed down in the Bitchu region of Okayama Prefecture. It combines ritualistic dances originating from the worship of Aragami (deities) with dramatic dances based on Japanese mythology. In the late Edo period, a Shinto priest named Kokyo Nishibayashi created performances based on the myths from the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, which gained great popularity and became the core of Bitchu Kagura.

- Features
Fusion of Ritual and Theater: Originating from Aragami Kagura, which invited Aragami to pray for a bountiful harvest and household safety, it evolved into a performing art that fuses ritual and entertainment with the addition of highly theatrical mythological plays (Shindai Kagura).
Dynamic Performances: Many performances have clear narratives, such as The Transfer of the Land by Okuninushi-no-Mikoto and The Slaying of the Eight-Headed Serpent by Susanoo-no-Mikoto, making them dynamic and engaging to watch.
Lines by the Kagura Dayu: The gods themselves often sing lines and songs, using variations in tone and drum sounds to depict emotions and scenes.
Kōdo (Stage): A stage where Aragami and the myriad gods are temporarily invited to dedicate Kagura performances. It is performed in a tatami room measuring two ken by two ken.

*Manufacturer: Futaba Geisha Co., Ltd., Soja City, Okayama Prefecture
*Material: Special processed material made from wood powder and resin
*Size: 19 x 27 x 6 cm
*Other: ① A booklet titled Kibi no Omote is included.
② The mask itself is unused and free of scratches or stains, but the box has significant sun fading.