National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

Gokou literally means the young nobleman of Wu, one of the three Kingdoms in China. This mask wearing a plated openwork crown possesses a noble countenance, which suits a young nobleman. Its rather narrow face, strongly arched eyebrows and sharply upward mouth is highly reminiscent of the Buddhist images in the seventh century, especially the Four Guardian (Shitenno) statues standing in the Kondo of Horyu-ji Temple. Originally, it was painted in Montpellier green with its mouth painted in red and a moustache under the nose drawn in black ink, but it has mostly faded with only small marks remaining.