Kyoto Noh Mask Artisan: Ichiyu Terai vol.2 Being a Noh mask artist

“Noh masks should never be made in a hurry. It’s essential to take the time to enjoy the process as long as you have it. You must engage in a heart-to-heart connection with the lifeless object repeatedly and allow yourself sufficient time to reflect on it. I believe this is what it means to breathe life into something,” said Mr. Terai.

Despite this, he never feels that his work is perfect until the day it is delivered. He often wonders if there is more he could do. 　Mr. Terai appears humble and mild-mannered, but in his youth, he once smashed a mask he had created. Reflecting on those days, he says, "I understand, I understand now." His smile embodies the essence of his life. If the soul of the creator resides in
the mask, then the mask contains everything about Mr. Terai. Many have noted the resemblance between the masks and Mr. Terai's ever-changing facial expressions.

To Live: To Create

Mr. Terai, who studied wood carving in his 20s, became fascinated by the traditional Japanese profession of Noh mask making, where a single artisan handles the entire production process. In the realm of crafts, where the division of labor is the norm, this makes it quite an unusual job.
Nevertheless,　Mr. Terai has dedicated over 50 years to this craft, navigating various challenges along the way.

His life's philosophy is inspired by the words of Tessai Tomioka: "Read the book of 10,000 scrolls and travel the road of 10,000 miles." Since his youth, Mr. Terai has traveled abroad and continues to embody this spirit today. He enjoys engaging with people during workshops and
classes. "I have decided to be creative and pursue interesting endeavors in my life," he says.
"I've been studying for a long time, and now I want to conduct a workshop in Germany." His enthusiasm is infectious; even after completing a project, there is still a spark in Mr. Terai's eyes as he looks toward the future.

The Noh mask maker, Ichiyu Terai, expresses his desire to help others through his art. “Many of the people who come to my classes have faced the hardships of society. I want to assist them in spending their time doing what they love. I have been supported by society since I was young,and I want to give back.”

When I first heard about a Noh mask maker, I pictured a strict and particular individual. However, Mr. Terai is more adaptable than I expected, yet he possesses a strong character.

In the end of the interview, Mr. Terai shares his vision for the future of Noh theater. “I hope we can create opportunities for those who have never experienced Noh to hear the words and, to some extent, understand what is being said. Some people may be unable to attend because it is too expensive. It is essential to preserve the art form while also making it accessible to others.”

Hearing his thoughts made me reflect. We should not take our cultural heritage for granted. It is vital for us to make an effort to learn about and experience culture while it is still available.

On our way home after leaving Mr. Terai, we found ourself swaying on the train while researching Noh stages in Kyoto. We felt grateful to Mr. Terai for inspiring me to take the time to discover our favorite Noh masks and costumes and to enjoy Noh in our own way.

Kyoto Noh Mask Artisan: Ichiyu Terai vol.1

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Nohmask by Ichiyu Terai | 寺井一佑の能面

2,880時間かけて能面を製作するプロセス。50年以上能面を作り続けるベテラン能面師/Craftsmanship Process - SUIGENKYO