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Old Man Masks
Ko-jo; Akobu-jo; Asakura-jo; Sanko-jo; Warai-jo;
Shiwa-jo; Mai-jo; Ishio-jo; Oaku-jo; Hanakobo
Aku-jo; Washikobu-jo; Myoga Aku-jo; Omoni Aku-jo;
Beshimi Aku-jo; etc.
Old Man masks express the features of very old
men, and there are many different types of such
masks, some with implanted hair that is tied up,
and some that have distinguishing beards or teeth.
Among them all, the Ko-jo mask is the most refined,
and is often used when a god takes on the form
of an old man, as in the play The Twin Pines.
The Sanko-jo mask is used when the ghost of a
fallen hero takes on the form of an old fisherman,
woodcutter, or other common villager. The Ishio-jo mask, the eyes of which are very special, is often
used for an old man or the spirit of a plant or
tree that performs an elegant, stately dance.
The special characteristic of the Aku-jo masks
is the mysterious power that they evince.
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