About “Mentsukasa Omokage”
“Mentsukasa Omokage” is a Noh mask atelier, which is being operated by Noh mask craftswoman Mitsue Nakamura.
It was established with the thought of protecting the Noh mask tradition and passing it on to the next generation. She operates the Noh mask atelier “Mentsukasa Omokage” with her disciples.
Foreword
I would like to introduce my disciples, those who are wandering and living in such a small universe of Noh mask.
Japanese people are raised to appreciate the natural world; this temperate climate, and over thousands of years, has led to the creation of the Noh mask – a superior mask with no similarities in the world.
However, in the modern, rapidly changing world, many important things are swept away and seemingly only remain in the past.
It is a risky challenge to devote your life to passing on this fantastic tradition of Noh masks.
However, learning refined techniques and the high-spirituality of Noh history can be acquired after long-term training and self- improvement.
I wish to pass on the skill for those who chose a tougher road, while struggling against the incertitude of my anachronism.
It is my belief that the Japanese soul is found in such a way of life and our works.
Introduction of the Noh Mask Creators
Mitsue Nakamura
1947 She was born in Mie prefecture and grew up in Osaka.
1969 She graduated from the department of Fine Arts, Western Painting,
Kyoto City University of Arts (formerly, Kyoto City University of Fine Arts)
1983 She started to learn Noh crafting.
1990 She studied under the Noh craftsman Yasuemon Hori.
She devoted herself fully to creating Noh masks.
1997 She became independent.
She organizes Mitsue Nakamura Noh mask crafting class up to present.
Her masks have been used by many prominent Noh actors, including Kanzesouke – the head of Kanze school of Noh.
Since 2000, her works have been collected by domestic and international fine arts collectors. Since 2014, several of her masks have been added to the collection of the Fundação Oriente museum in Portugal (the Orient Museum).
She has appeared in TV programs, newspapers, and magazines.
Tae Sakaguchi
When I face fascinating masks, I encounter the hidden “enigma” in them. I am enchanted with the skills of the predecessors appearing on their form and colors on their masks, and showing faint and complicated layers.
The days of the mask creation are just like searching for the “enigma”. It accompanies the struggle, as if I got lost in the labyrinth. At the same time, they give me the happiness to fulfill my curiosity.
On the contrary to the Noh play, which has a long history, I am realizing the transience of my limited life. While protecting tradition, I am expressing myself into a “Noh mask” through crafting – I will keep on creating masks that only I can make at this moment. I am glad if I can serve as one drop of the flow of the traditional culture, which is running from the past to the future without break.
1980 She was born in Tokyo.
2003 She graduated from Display and Fashion Design, Scenography,
Musashino Art University and worked as a designer.
2009 She transferred to Kyoto and studied under Mitsue Nakamura.
2017 She became an assistant of Mitsue Nakamura’s Noh crafting class.
Hinako Horikoshi
The existence of the Noh mask is like the trees, leaving their branches bending to the mercy of the wind.
It seems as if they accept their fate patiently.
In the days of learning Noh mask crafting, I feel that it requires not only the necessity of the skill improvement, but also, I need to keep on asking questions to myself: “What does life mean for a human being? What is true beauty?” I believe that “the atmosphere of living”, which has been cultivated continually in Japanese culture, was crystalized by Noh mask craftsmen, and it became the Noh mask.
I am more than happy to inherit the tradition through my long-term dedication.
As the seeds sowed on the day, will never be sprouted on that day. No matter how you wish the flowers blooming or desire to have fruits instantly, just as the plants remains in the figure as it is at this moment.
I would like to continue to learn the Noh mask crafting with a steady step day by day.
1997 She was born in Saitama prefecture
2019 She graduated from Painting department of Musashino Art University.
Worked in the editorial department of a lifestyle magazine.
Through her experience in interview of a craftsmen, she was fascinated by their handcrafting works and their life style in harmony with nature.
2020 She studied under Mitsue Nakamura.
She transferred to Kyoto and started Noh mask crafting.
At the same time, she worked in a medical herb garden at Hanase, Kyoto.
2024 She became an assistant of Mitsue Nakamura’s Noh crafting class.