Noh is the classical theatre of Japan which was codified in the 14th century by the father and son actors Kan'ami and Zeami under the patronage of the Shogun (supreme military leader) Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Under Yoshimitsu the Zen principles of restraint, understatement, economy of movement and frugality of expression became incorporated into the performance. By the early seventeenth century Noh had become an even more austere and formalised drama reserved almost exclusively for the military elite.

The Shikami mask is used in Noh plays such as Rashomon (The Rasho Gate), Tsuchigumo (The Earth Spider) and Momijigari (Autumn Foliage Viewing) to represent an evil demon whose eventual defeat ends in celebration. The powerful character is revealed through the gilded metal plates over the eyes which glare out from under knitted brows which meet to form a large fold at the top of the nose. The mask is carved from a block of cypress painted red over a gesso-like surface with details of the hair, eyebrows and moustaches being finely executed in black ink. The wrinkles are accentuated by a deeper red colour, and the lips are painted a similar deep red. The mouth gapes open to reveal fangs and the teeth are painted gold with details in black ink.