KANO TESSAI: A WOOD MASK NETSUKE OF OTO By Kano Tessai (1845-1925), signed Tessai with kao Japan, second half of 19th century Published: Rutherston, Max (2017) Japanese Masks, Peter E. Müller, no. 99. Carved as a mask of Oto, a mask used for female characters in Kyogen, a form of traditional Japanese comic theatre. The wood is accentuated with black lacquer and Oto is depicted with plump cheeks and smiling. The reverse with large himotoshi through a central bridge and signature TESSAI 鐵哉 with kakihan. HEIGHT 5.6 cm Condition: Very good condition. Provenance: Peter E. Müller Mask Collection. An unusual and early netsuke by Kano Tessai, since he rarely made mask netsuke of plain wood.