There are many objects that were extremely beautiful and valuable, but you could also see many basic, everyday objects that were there to reveal how people through the ages have lived and thought.
Anyone who comes to visit of nearly any job or hobby would find something that would interest them, as there was so much to see and such a vast range of different and intriguing objects.
Another thing about the museum that gave it such a special feel was the building itself. Inside it still holds on to its Victorian atmosphere- the glass cases are cluttered with hundreds of objects and the small handwritten labels remain the originals.
Japanese Noh Masks.
I had great enjoyment finding out more about Japanese Noh masks since visiting Pitt Rivers Museum as the masks each had a lot of character and were striking as well as dainty.
Noh is a very stylised theatre form, which dates back to the times of feudalism (a system in which people were given land and protection by people of higher rank, and in return worked and fought for them) reflecting the daily life and times of the Japanese.
In Noh, delicately carved masks replace makeup. These masks are considered objects of great beauty as well as effective ways of expression. Any character being portrayed that is not a middle aged man living in the present must wear a mask, therefore not only all the characters portraying supernatural beings like ghosts, demons, gods and goddesses, and divine beasts but also characters portraying old men and women wear masks.
Generally the masks will either have a relatively neutral expression or portray a very strong emotion. Even in roles where an actor does not wear a mask, the sense of a masked face is apparent, and for this, the actor doesn’t use his face for realistic expressions but instead for mask like expressions.
There are almost 80 different and distinct characters illustrated by the masks that are use by tradition Noh performers.
Only a few skilled Japanese craftsmen are able to create authentic Noh masks using the traditional wood carving techniques, and master carvers in Japan must commit their work to individual Noh performers. Making Noh masks can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months from start to finish which makes Noh masks incredibly expensive- even by Japanese standards.
When I saw Noh masks, it amazed and impressed me how well the masks were carved and how they paint them with such delicacy, giving the masks a very elegant finish.
The method of making a Noh mask interested me and so I researched the carving process.
In order to make a tradition Noh mask, first, the general shape of the mask is cut out roughly using a saw and a chisel. The features are roughed out using medium sized chisels and details are added with the help of small chisels. Then the entire mask is made smooth with fine sandpaper. Brass teeth and eyes are fitted onto the face, Japanese whitewash is applied as a base coat to the entire face, then six applications of skin colour is applied. Gold dust is sprinkled on the horns and non-brass areas of the teeth, and then fine details such as the hair and eyes are painted on to complete the mask.
