This is the Noh theatre mask of the character Shakumi used in plays such as Miidera and Sakuragawa. Suzuki's mask follows the traditions for this particular character, which is that of a grief-stricken mother. The skin has been painted in an off-white colour and given a stippled effect, with fine lines scored across the surface. The hair, painted eyebrows (in a high position on the forehead, which indicates an aristocrat) and eyes have had details applied in black ink. The down-turned lips have been finished in a red pigment that allows some of the undercoat of off-white to show through. The mouth is slightly open to reveal teeth that have been painted black. This is to emulate the tradition of teeth lacquering that the Japanese nobility have carried out since the Heian period (794-1185).