Okina

Shikisanban ritual mask representing Okina. Okina or Kokushiki-jo is an old and cheerful man. His mask is considered sacred. It Integrates the Shikisanban ritual performance, an auspicious noh play to bring long life and prosperity. It is placed on an altar to be worshiped before the beginning of a play and, on stage, is shown separately from its actor, to distinguish its spiritual importance.Nohgaku or Noh is a classical, danced and sung theatrical genre performed since the 14th century. It was transmitted by Kanami (1333-1384), author of treatises on Noh, and mostly preserved by his son Zeami (1363-1444), along with some families of actors. It results from the synthesis of aristocratic or religious dances and popular performances. The pieces can last an entire day and are represented by men who play the feminine and masculine roles. In this artistic manifestation only the main actor, the shite, can wear masks representing different characters. The tsure, or secondary actors, only wear female masks. The extremely codified movements and sung voices are a tradition of this theater, not very receptive to the repertoire innovation. The first part of the play is characterized by the presentation of a traveling monk, the waki, and of the main character represented by the shite, the actor who wears a mask and reveals himself to be the soul of a dead or of a deity. In the second part, the shite shows its true face and dances its tragedy until the waki can appease it.