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Heaven Has a Face; So Does Hell
The Art of the Noh Mask
by Stephen E. Marvin
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A remarkable combination of superb
artistry, sophisticated design, and a lengthy history of continuous usage
sets the masks of the Noh theater of Japan apart from all others. That so
little is known outside of Japan about their great beauty and brilliant
craftsmanship prompted the author to undertake the two decades of study,
research, and writing that has culminated in this work. The result is
nearly 800 pages of text and images published in a two-volume boxed
edition limited to 1200 copies.
Volume 1 consists of an extended treatise on the history of Noh and the
evolution of its masks, including mask forms and functions, types and
roles, nomenclature and taxonomy, mask carvers and their lineages,
signatures, and other markings. It includes plot and character synopses of
the plays most often staged as well as others other rarely performed, with
particulars about the masks used by various troupes for the principle
roles.
Volume 2 is an album showcasing in full color over 140 of the finest masks
of Noh, both ancient and more recent, with detailed information on their
creation, character, and significance, as well as photos of their backs
showing inscriptions and artists’ signatures. An extensive bibliography,
glossary, and index round out this presentation of an exquisite,
centuries-old art form. No existing publication on the subject, in either
English or in Japanese, remotely compares in scope and depth to the
present work.
Published by Floating
World Editions
December 2007, 768 pp. in 2 boxed volumes, 150 colour + 200 b/w illustrations
ISBN 978 1 891640 32 2, hardback, £160.00
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