Old Japanese theater mask of "tengu" in a fierce grimace sporting a prominent proboscis. The "tengu" were mythical creatures, half-bird and half-man, who were tricksters living in pine trees in the forests. I am uncertain of the dating of this mask but estimate it was crafted in the early to mid-20th century. It may be older. It has signs of age and use. There are scattered chips on the underside of the chin and nose and at the edge of the mask and eyes. The chips reveal plaster or gesso beneath which is covered in gold, brown-black and red pigment or lacquer. The mask is 8"H x 7 1/2"W. It measures 9" in depth to the end of the nose (the length of the nose itself is 6 1/4").