Antique Noh theater 1.5″ netsuke mask of Okame Otafuku with shunga motive

The smile of Okame is very lovely on the other side of the head with a hairstyle has a shunga motive as it’s reminding men’s penis. 

Noh Mask of Okame with the unusual himotoshi hole on the back side.

Noh Mask of Okame Otafuku- This Japanese Mask has two names, Otafuku and Okame. Otafuku literally means “Much Good Fortune”, and Okame means “Tortoise”, also a lucky symbol for long life. Otafuku represents a lovely, always smiling Japanese woman who brings happiness and good fortune to any man she marries. She is also known as the Goddess of Mirth.

Okame, also known as Uzume or Otafuku is the name for the female half of a traditional Japanese Kyogen theatre pair. She is considered to be the Goddess of mirth and is frequently seen in Japanese art. Her full cheeks and merry eyes are an unforgettable sight and a delight to behold. Some Japanese scholars theorize that long ago, when the first Okame images were created, they may have represented an idealized form of feminine beauty.

Material: Wood

Age: Late 19C

Dimensions: 1.5 inches