Japanese Noh Mask, Uba [Old Woman]

This Noh (mask) represents Uba, a dignified old woman. There are many forms of this generic type, some dating back to the 14th century. However, all share the wrinkled and bony features of a human grown old gracefully. Some features are thin hair and thin high eyebrows. The sunken eyes look downward, carved with a slight curved slit.

Okina and ōna, or an old man and an old woman respectively, seen often among Japanese dolls, especially those for the Girl's Festival in March. They appear in a well-known piece "Takasago" that is performed at wedding ceremonies. In the Noh plays, Koushi-jō, a dignified variation of Jō-men, and Uba does portray okina and ōna respectively.