Noh Zo Onna Mask Signed Tashibana Yoshotaka Saku

This mask has the cartouche of tashibana yoshitaka saku 
Tashibana Yoshitaka
Little is known about his life
He was considered a living national treasure and was exhibited at the Fukuoka Museum
Often considered an artist of the Edo period, 18th century like the hannya mask exhibited in 3 successive museums which confirmed this date, published in the book Cedric le dauphin » les noh masks de la collection the bernard le dauphin collection 2020 p 68,69,70
Stephen Marvin author of « heaven has a face so does hell « the bible of the Noh mask comments on this sculptor in a series of email exchanges:

The only mention of Houhikidaka in English is in my book on pages 354 - 355. I have found very little about him in Japanese. The only published work in Japan with information about him is an exhibition catalogue produced by the the Fukuoka Municipal Museum, which shows a Kyougen mask with its cartouche. The brief text accompanying the photograph states he lived in Kyoto and was a contemporary of the modern mask carver Nakamura Naohiko (born 1877, died 1945). Based on this information, Houhidaka would have active as a mask carver during the late 19th century or early 20th century (Meiji - Showa periods).

 The problem probably began with confusion. In the 19th century, a mask carver called Houhidaka Ryoushuu probably worked for the Ii daimyou, copying masks made by famous artists. I have only seen one mask made by him, and the style is different from the modern Houhidaka, whose name is Tachibana. Perhaps, the modern artist is a descendant of Ryoushuu Houhidaka, but I cannot confirm it.


A mask of ko omote (small face of a young girl by the same sculptor was sold at Christies in 2005

Noh mask of Ko-omote (Small face)
TAISHO PERIOD (EARLY 20TH CENTURY), BURNED SEAL TACHIBANA YOSHITAKA SAKU
Price realized USD 2,280
Estimate
USD 1,000 – USD 1,500
Closed: 29 Mar 2005


It was created by the famous dengaku dancer Zōami Hisatsugu and represents a young woman whose face is marked by dignity and reserve. The zō-onna is used for roles requiring refined elegance. Characteristics The name "zō" is said to come from the creator of the mask, famous dengaku dancer and mask sculptor Zōami Hisatsugu; zō-onna is said to mean "the wife of Zō(friend)" The zō-onna is classified as a noh mask representing young women, like the ko omote magojiro or waka onna , but the thinner face denotes a slightly older age, possibly in the twenties. As for its physical attributes, the zō-onna has, among other things, narrow eyes, an open mouth that reveals the trace of a smile and eyebrows painted high on the forehead. These properties, which must be of the greatest delicacy, evoke the nobility, reserve, purity and refinement that befits creatures of a divine nature. This dignified air, expressing neither joy nor anger, distinguishes the zō-onna from other masks of young women and destines it for roles requiring refined elegance (yugen, like the celestial girl who lost her feather dress in hagomoro, the goddess Tatsuta no Myōjin in tatsuta or Rokujo in Nonomiya (see wikipedia zo onna)
a restoration of pigments on the lower part of the right cheek