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

A Beshimi is a Noh mask representing a devil with its mouth shut. This Chorei Beshimi is used in the Noh program called Kumasaka and represents a weird-looking warrior. The name is derived from a Noh mask artist called Chorei. This is one of the best masks used by the Konparu family and dates back to the Muromachi period. It is made only of a broad-leaf tree and a flesh color is applied over the white ground. Gilt bronze sheets are pasted on the eyes. The back side is bare and there is an inscription of "Kihino/Kensei" engraved between the brows. Although the details are unknown, "Kihi" may mean Kihisho in Echizen no Kuni (current Kihisho, Asahi-cho, Nyu-gun, Fukui).