Wooden netsuke depicting the Obeshimi mask in Noh theater.

Obeshimi is a demon characterized by thick eyebrows, eyes that seem to protrude from the face and a closed mouth.

Signed on the back: “made by Deme Mitsumori” (出目満守造).

Deme Mitsumori is the last descendant of the Deme family, who have specialized in Noh mask carving since the Edo period. Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598), a great admirer of Noh theater, awarded Deme Zenka Yoshimitsu (1527?-1616) the title of “best” (tenkaichi) mask maker. This recognition helped to increase the value of Noh masks, and feudal lords became enthusiasts of this theatrical art and began to collect masks to collect masks. The decline of the Tokugawa shogunate led to a decline in interest in Noh theater, culminating in the demise of the Deme family in the Meiji era.

Japan, Deme Mitsumori (出目満守) – Meiji era (1868-1912)

Height: 0.8 in / 2.5 cm – width: 1.2 in / 3.5 cm – depth: 2 in / 5 cm