Witness the detailed craftsmanship of traditional Noh and imperial court Bugaku masks
1.5 hour private experience
Location: Nara City
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
Meet the Master
What you’ll do
Visit the workshop of an expert mask maker to immerse youself in the world of Noh and traditional imperial court Bugaku masks. Guided by the master craftsman, learn about the significance of the masks in Nara and the various projects the craftsman has undertaken.
Who can attend
Children must be 7+
Availability
Everyday
Session 1 (10:30 - 12:00)
Session 2 (13:30 - 15:00)
Access
7 minutes by car from Nara Station
Recreating the Faces of the Past
In some traditional Japanese performing arts, the mask is more than just a means for the performer to portray a certain character. The mask is the character itself, with the performer giving that character a body to use in the present world. With an unmoving expression, the mask appears to lack any emotion. However, with the catch of the light or the falling of a shadow, accompanied by the steady movements of the performer, the mask comes to life. At this mask maker's workshop, delve into the crafting of traditional Noh and imperial court Bugaku masks. The master craftsman has undertaken traditional mask recreation requests from the local shrines of Nara, including Kasuga Taisha, and has his own personal collection of masks, mostly made of sample pieces of the masks now kept at local shrines. View the master's collection and learn about the significance of masks in Nara.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 3 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
