Masahiro Kojima: Kagura Mask Cutter

Travel Information

Master of Mask Cutter

Mr. Masahiro Kojima (小島正廣) is "Kagura" (神楽) mask cutter, called "Menuchi" ( 面打ち). He has been producing Japanese traditional masks for "Kagura" and "Noh" for over 30 years. His work is all made by hand and uses traditional way of making "Kagura" mask which has been taken over 1,000 years. Kagura uses the Japanese myth and performed at the shrine during their festival. Unlike Noh, "Kagura" has been loved as the entertainment for all people. Also, Kagura mask has much wider variation and it is able to create the original mask along with the taken story. Mr. Kojima make those "Kagura" masks using original form of the masks and duplicate. Also, you put his own creativity to make new wave of "Kagura" masks.

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Detailed Travel Guide

The shapes of "Kagura" masks are take from Japanese myth and fairy tales. "Kagura" dance is performed at the shrine during their festival. Kagura has been loved as the entertainment for all people. Therefore, unlike "Noh" Dance, there are many kinds of masks. They are also could be original masks for original stories. Major difference between "Noh" mask and "Kagura" mask is that "Kagura" masks have more facial expression such as laugh or fanny.

Process of making "Kagura" Mask.
1. Selecting and cutting wood
2. Flatten the back side
3. Thread sawing with template
4. Gouging bak
5. Rough carving
6. Carving detail
7. Painting base on back
8. Outlining
9. Painting base
10. Finishing back
11. Drawing and Painting
12. Attaching beard