Mask: Kabuki Kitsune

This is my original design for a set of kitsune (fox spirit) masks based around the makeup worn by traditional Kabuki performers in Japanese theatre.



This mask is that of the Hero, or the male protagonist character in a Kabuki production. The more elaborate the makeup, the older and wiser the character generally is. This makeup is designed off of woodblock prints of actual Kabuki performers, with some modification for the fox face shape.

The eyes are slanted in sharp black, with the eyebrow shape continuing up the forehead. At the very center is a red line that widens and stripes over the nose, and the sides of the face have the fur shape emphasized even more with red.

The ear shaping is held in place with silver rivets.

This mask is carved from one piece of leather, and is shaped with a combination of darts along the ears and hand shaping without using a form or mold. It is then painted with white, black and red acrylics, and sealed with a waterproof wax-based leather finish that gives it a slight sheen.