Donning the Noh Warrior Mask
Slideshow: Donning the Noh Warrior Mask
Slideshow Contents: Donning the Noh Warrior Mask
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While the actor sits in front of the mirror on a stool, the attendant takes the mask out of its bag.
The attendant hands the mask to the actor, who holds it at the cord holes and bows to it. Notice that the sweatband has already been attached.
Then the actor places the mask to his face, and the attendant takes the cords and begins to make a bow knot.
He asks the actor to confirm both the placement and the tightness of the knot before completing it. In order to have the proper balance to the figure as a whole, the mask is placed so its chin is slightly above the actor's chin. This may result in the eyes of the mask being out of alignment with the actor's eyes, so that vision is impaired.
The attendant brings out the wig (kuro-tare), which is made of human hair attached to a central ring. The wig is placed on the top of the actor's head and covered by the hat.
The wig and hat (nashiuchi eboshi) are placed on the head simultaneously, as the hat will be used to secure the wig in place. Cords attached to the hat are tied under the chin. Then the tip of the hat is tilted to the right to indicate that the character Kiyotsune is a Heike.
Next, the sweat band is tied with a balanced bow knot at the back of the head and its long ends allowed to hang down the back.
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Finally, the hair is carefully combed, some of it being crossed to the front and the rest falling to the back, and the overall effect is checked.
A fan is placed in the actor's right hand.
The fully dressed figure sits in front of the mirror to contemplate his image in preparation for going on stage.
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