Zo Onna Noh Mask Signed "joharu Fukakusa " Japan

This is a Noh mask "zo Onna" signed with the cartouche of joharufukakusa also known as Nagasawa Kiyoharu Born in 1927 he is the son of Nagasawa Ujiharu consecrated by the Japanese government "living national treasure for noh masks" he learned the talented craftsmanship from his father the mask includes its box where is written on the outside "young woman", and its brocade bag for a comparable mask see Bonhams: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/25415/lot/285/nagasawa-kiyoharu-born-circa-1927-a-noh-mask-of-young-woman-magojiroshowa-1926-1989-era-late-20th-century/Zoonna It was created by the famous dengaku dancer Zōami Hisatsugu and represents a young woman whose face is imbued with dignity and reserve.The zō-onna is used for roles requiring refined elegance. Characteristics The name "zō" is said to come from the mask's creator, the famous dengaku dancer and mask sculptor Zōami Hisatsugu; zō-onna is said to mean "Zō's (friend's) wife." The zō-onna falls into the category of Noh masks depicting young women, like the ko omote magojiro or waka onna, but the thinner face denotes a slightly older age, possibly in their twenties. Physical attributes of the zō-onna include narrow eyes, an open mouth that reveals a hint of a smile, and eyebrows painted high on the forehead.These properties, which must be of the greatest delicacy, evoke the nobility, reserve, purity and refinement that befits creatures of a divine nature. This dignified air, expressing neither joy nor anger, distinguishes the zō-onna from other masks of young women and destines it for roles requiring refined elegance (yugen, like the celestial young girl who lost her feather dress in hagomoro, the goddess Tatsuta no Myōjin in tatsuta or Rokujo in Nonomiya (see wikipedia zo onna)