Watermark Fine Art Photographs & Books (CLOSED) (Alan Griffiths, 7 November 2025) Shikami 2, Naitō Clan depicts one of the most fearsome visages in the Noh tradition—a demon mask frozen in an expression of fury and anguish. The exaggerated features, gaping mouth, and bulging eyes embody the shikami, a spirit of vengeance or torment whose ferocity is both theatrical and symbolic. In this close photographic study, the mask’s raw emotion is intensified by the tight framing and shallow focus, transforming it from ritual object into a psychological portrait. The photographer’s emphasis on texture—the sheen of carved wood, the minute wear of time—reveals the humanity that lies within terror, suggesting that such masks externalize emotions that performers and audiences alike must confront. Through its precise chiaroscuro and proximity, the image situates Noh not as an ancient spectacle, but as a timeless exploration of rage, suffering, and release.
