• Here is an exceptionally rare Japanese Kitsune (Fox) Mask.
  • A museum quality piece.
  • The previous owner was from Palm Springs, CA.
  • Thick, patina attesting to multiple times that this mask was culturally danced.
  • Further attesting to its use is the articulating Jaw that would move during the performance.
  • Signed by "MOTONAGA" or "GENCHOU".
  • Gold painted eyes.
  • All research strongly attests that this mask was made and used at sacred Shinto performances during the ancient Kagura shrine festivals.
  • Given Japans rapidly shrinking population, which is making small towns and their shrines close, it seems all the more likely that this is an actual Shrine mask: http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-japan-population-snap-story.html
  • The dancer wearing this mask would have interacted with the crowd and passing out rice cakes. This would certainly explain how a mask would get such a full, deep, rich patina... this thing has patina on every square inch of the reverse. 
  • The hole to the upper right of the signature is center of the tree rings or "core".
  • It is immensely difficult to determine the mask's age since its made of all natural elements and using the same techniques that the Japanese have been refining for hundreds of years.
  • In my opinion its most likely from the mid to late 1800s.
  • Its rare to come across a Japanese Fox mask in general, its exceptionally rare to fine one that's so clearly evidenced as culturally important by having been used.
  • Without question this piece is astounding from the perspective of its Patina. I have a Guatemalan mask that has 20-30 layers of paint on it which attests to it being used at a minimum of 30 years/times. That being said, this Japanese mask has thicker, deeper, more wide-spread patina... which is suggestive this mask was worn 50+ years/time...A cultural heritage item that demands to be preserved.
  • A museum quality item.
  • 22 cm Tall x 19 cm Wide x 17 cm tip of nose to back of mask.
  • See my other masks for sale, including several Japanese masks. Check out my other items!
See the Natural Museum in Japan to see what I mean about the unchanged techniques, natural pigments and difficulty in actually judging age: 17th Century Mask 15th Century Mask 7th Century Mask


  1. Rare Japanese Kitsune Mask
  2. Antique Fox Mask
  3. Museum Quality Kitsune Mask
  4. Authentic Shinto Performance Mask
  5. Articulating Jaw Fox Mask
  6. MOTONAGA or GENCHOU Signed Mask
  7. Gold Painted Eyes Kitsune Mask
  8. Kagura Shrine Festival Mask
  9. Sacred Shinto Performance Artifact
  10. Traditional Japanese Dance Mask
  11. Vintage Kitsune Mask
  12. Cultural Heritage Collectible
  13. Antique Shinto Festival Prop
  14. Japanese Folk Art
  15. Rarely Found Shrine Mask
  16. Authentic Patina Fox Mask
  17. Museum-Worthy Japanese Art
  18. Historical Shinto Performance Mask
  19. Collectible Asian Art
  20. 19th Century Japanese Mask