KANO TESSAI: A RARE LACQUERED GIGAKU MASK NETSUKE By Kano Tessai (1845-1925), signed Tessai 鐵哉 to 刀 and kakihan Japan, late 19th to early 20th century Published: Bushell, Raymond (1985) Netsuke Masks, no. 1. Masterfully lacquered in imitation of iron, depicting Baramon (an Indian Brahmana priest) wearing a priestly hat, the stern-browed face with a characteristically long nose framed by pendulous earlobes. Himotoshi bar in the back with the boldly incised signature TESSAI to [carved by Tessai] and kakihan. LENGTH 3.8 cm Condition: Good condition with minor expected surface wear, much of which is intentional. Provenance: Ex-collection Raymond Bushell, sold at Sotheby's, 21 March 2000, lot 141. Then European private collection P. Jacquesson. Kano Tessai (1845-1925) came from a Gifu family and started his life as a Buddhist priest, though his father instructed him in the art of carving. He studied Chinese literature and drawing and was a professor at Tokyo art school in 1872. He was also on the examining committee for investigating the ancient art of Japan and subsequently went to Nara where he engaged in the reproductions of old objects of art, such as the present example. Gigaku was the traditional music theatre, performed in silent mime, of the Japanese Court from the 7th to 10th centuries. Introduced in 612 from Korea, Gigaku reached great popularity in the Nara period (710‑794). Gigaku is a combination of Togaku, derived from China during the Tang dynasty, Komagaku from Korea, and original Japanese music.