Very good condition overall. A crack at the top corner was repaired in the past; this has resulted in a faint hairline line visible on the front and back only upon close inspection. The structure remains solid, and the mask displays well.
This Japanese kagura mask represents Tajikarao-no-Mikoto (手力男命), the Shinto deity of physical strength and forceful power, best known for pulling open the heavenly cave to restore light to the world.
Kagura masks are used in traditional Shinto performances that combine ritual, music, and dance to honor the kami. Through these performances, the wearer embodies the deity, bringing mythological narratives into a living, performative form.
Hand-carved and hand-painted, this example is signed by Tanabe Seisuke, a noted mask maker active in the 1950s–60s. His work is associated with strong craftsmanship and faithful interpretations of traditional forms.
A signed and well-preserved piece with historical and artistic value, suitable for collectors of Japanese masks, Shinto art, and mid-20th century craftsmanship.
