Noh mask Fukai

The coloring of this female mask is peeled off and the letters written on the wooden base in Chinese ink are exposed. They disclose that the mask was carved “by Iseki Ieshige” (written on the right forehead) “in August 1647 in Edo (present-day Tokyo)” (written on the left). Ieshige is the fourth generation Noh mask carver of the Iseki family. During the Ieshige's generation, the Iseki family moved to Edo from Omi and set up their studio.