A LARGE BRONZE O BESHIMI MASKA LARGE BRONZE O-BESHIMI MASK Japan, 18th – 19th century. Massively cast bronze with openwork at the nostrils and bulging eyes. The upper rim with three holes for suspension. Presumably this rarity was a showpiece of an Edo period mask maker. Beard and eyebrows depicted with neatly incised lines.HEIGHT 20 cm WEIGHT 1725 grams Provenance: Austrian private collection.Condition: Excellent condition with only minor wear and very few tiny dents.O-Beshimi translates to ‘large clenched mouth’ and is a mask worn by powerful deities and demons in Noh plays. The clenched mouth indicates that power is kept under close control. Both this mask and the O-Tobide mask are based on the features of guardian deity statues found at the gates of Buddhist temples. These temple guardians were thought to have originally been ferocious local gods who had converted to Buddhism, and now use their power to defend the religion.