A Noh mask representing a young angel, goddess or enlightened woman called Zouonna of carved wood covered with Gofun and mineral pigments, 20th century. It is 21 x 13.5 cm and in overall fine condition bearing the carvers seal in the back.
A cool reserve seen in the passive expression, flat cheeks, unsmiling lips, and intelligent high forehead lends this mask a stately dignity that contrasts with the open expression of koomote and other standard young women's masks. The downcast eyes, narrow features, and horizontal brush strokes heighten the effect of other worldliness. The hairlines are drawn in the same style as wakaonna, but the lips have a darker hue. Zouonna is used for celestial women, such as the angel in Hagoromo (Feather Robe), the mother goddess of the West in Seioubo and the sun goddess Amaterasu in Ema (The Votive Tablets). At times the severity of Zouonna's expression is deemed fit for roles of women who are really disguised demons, such as in Momijigari (Maple Viewing).
