Meet Shokei at Noh Mask Exhibition [Day 1]

Decades later, Shokei, who might be revered around the world as a traditional artist on a par with Katsushika Hokusai.
Shokei hopes to create Noh masks that exudes human drama, like Katsushika Hokusai's works.

Such Shokei holds a Noh mask exhibition to showcase his skills.

In the 1998 issue of the American magazine LIFE, Katsushika Hokusai was the only Japanese person to be selected as one of the "100 people who have made great achievements in the last 1000 years."

Why was the value of Katsushika Hokusai's work recognized by so many artists, including Van Gogh, Picasso, and Debussy, after his death?

Shokei thinks the reason is as follows: Hokusai's paintings are imbued with his philosophy and way of life, and his paintings convey the living environment and human drama of at the time to many viewers.

On the other hand, Noh was perfected by father Kan'ami and the son Zeami in the 14th century, and their Noh plays portray dramas of human joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, bringing tears and laughter to many viewers. The reason why Noh is still loved even now, hundreds of years after the deaths of Kan'ami and Zeami, is probably because it gives the same emotions to people in the modern age.

Noh masks are essential when performing Noh on stage, and the drama of Noh is condensed in the facial expression. A Noh mask must remind viewers of human drama. Shokei devotes himself to making Noh masks every day for about 40 years, with the earnest desire to create masks that evoke the dramas that appear in Japanese classical literature such as the Tale of Genji and the Tales of Ise. Shokei hopes that you will be able to feel Shokei's philosophy on Noh masks through some of his works in this exhibition.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Japanese American Cultural & Community Center - JACCC, 244 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, United States