Noh Mask: Okina. Artist: Shibata Zeshin (Japanese, 1807-1891). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 11 3/8 x 16 1/8 in. (28.9 x 41 cm). Date: dated 1879.Among all Noh masks, the Okina (old man) mask is considered particularly sacred and has been at times treated as the embodiment of god, bringing longevity and prosperity to families. This sacred mask is discreetly shown here peering from a mask bag that is richly embellished with the auspicious motifs of a tortoise-shell pattern and a circular crane design. Zeshin has used lacquer painting with inlays of mother-of-pearl and gold fragments. The painting would have been displayed on auspicious occasions to express celebratory wishes for longevity. The ivory roller ends have been decorated in lacquer by Ikeda Taishin (1825-1903), Zeshin's student. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.