Mask Making Workshop
july 7-25, 2025. Tokyo, Japan
taught by MASTER INSTRUCTOR -
Kitazawa Hideta: MASK MAKER
北澤 秀太 • 能面師
Masks grow from a deep knowledge and thorough mastery of the centuries-old techniques of traditional mask-making. Join this workshop and learn how a single block of hinoki (Japanese cypress) is chosen, and after preparing a clay model, chisel is laid to grain. Experience first-hand how meticulously painted watercolors are applied to gesso-coated wood, in preparation for the actor to bring the mask to life on stage. Participants will learn about the craft of mask making through the creation of their own completed work under the daily guidance of Mr. Kitazawa.
Workshop is conducted in English (except for Noh Performance Viewing.) No prior experience in reading or speaking Japanese is required.
About Mr. Kitazawa:
KITAZAWA HIDETA is a second-generation woodcarving artist from Tokyo. After graduating from the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology with a major in Forest Management, he went on to begin intensive woodcarving studies with his father Kitazawa Ikkyou (a Shinto shrine carver.) In 1993 he began carving masks under the guidance of master artisan Michihiko Ito.
His traditional and contemporary noh and kyôgen masks have been exhibited and used in performance in Japan, Singapore, China, Ireland, France, England and the United States. An affiliated artist with Theatre Nohgaku, he has designed and carved new masks for Theatre Nohgaku’s performances of Pine Barrens, Crazy Jane and Pagoda. His traditional shakumi mask was used in the English-language production of the classical play Sumida River by the University of Hawaii where he also conducted an intensive mask-carving workshop.
Mr. Kitazawa has conducted numerous workshops and exhibitions including the Victoria & Albert Museum, London; Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford; Peking University and the Central Academy for Drama, Beijing. His masks were also featured in a two-month exhibition at the East-West Center Gallery in Honolulu. In spring 2009, as a part of a Theatre Nohgaku residency he taught maskmaking at Southern Methodist University, and also exhibited for the Crow Collection of Asian Art both in Dallas.
He has received numerous awards including the Outstanding Youth Artesian Award for Tokyo 1997 and the Yokohama Noh Drama Hall Director's Prize in 2003. His carvings of Shinto floats and o-mikoshi are in current use throughout Japan's Kanto area. His masks are used extensively by a number of prominent noh and kyogen professionals.
Mr. Kitazawa has worked extensively with non-Japanese performers and artists to create evocative contemporary masks.
Tuition:
¥150,000 (includes all instructional material, single block hinoki wood, use of carving tools, painting materials)
Pricing does not include airfare, room & board, all ground transport.
Applications are being accepted now!
Theatre Nohgaku does not sell or otherwise distribute registration information to any third-parties.
ALL PAYMENTS CAN BE MADE VIA BANK TRANSFER OR CREDIT CARD AFTER INVOICING
