Taiko Noh Masks

In 1986, artist and master sculptor Zarco Guerrero received the Japan fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. The prestigious grant was for a one year independent study in Japan. Zarco studied the ancient Noh Mask art form with Master Carver Joshun Nagasawa.

Inspired by his residency in Japan, Zarco came back to Arizona wanting to continue his creation of Noh masks. He started exhibiting his masks at the Japanese Matsuri Festival, in Phoenix and has continued showing his masks there for over 20 years. Zarco began his involvement at the Matsuri because he saw that the Noh masks were not represented at the Festival, and he wanted to include that artistic presence: “the mask added a much more sophisticated and elegant expression of this ancient Japanese artform to the Matsuri!”

During this time Zarco became connected with Ken Koshio and his Taiko drum group, Koshio Gumi. He always thought it would be a great idea to have the Taiko drum group wear masks in the Noh style. Zarco believed it would enhance the performance and would combine the two art forms like never before.

As Zarco is not Japanese, he felt he had the chance to add this kind of art and twist by blending what he learned in Japan and his own style. The first time this collection of Taiko Noh Masks were used was in Cultural Coalition’s 2023 Mask Alive Festival in Mesa.

Zarco describes these masks as specially created and made directly on each drummer's individual face. Every mask has the features and characterizations of Noh masks, but the shapes are different to fit the performer's face - which means they are custom made for each person. Traditional Noh masks are smaller with the same dimensions.

These masks are part of the Performance Masks collection, in use by the Koshio Gumi Taiko Drum Troupe, and available as a traveling exhibit or for loan individually upon request. For additional information, send inquiries to [email protected].