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The Case Of Fujioka Kenzo

He takes pleasure in gathering wild grasses and herbs in summer, and in making masks for Noh plays in the winter. First impressions of him suggest that, as a former tax officer, he is very straight-laced. But once he starts to talk about his hobbies, Noh masks and wild grasses, a look of joy and gentleness comes to his face.

The masks are used for Noh or Kyougen, which are traditional Japanese stage dramas. He made up his mind to make these masks, because he was in a favorable environment where timber was readily available. When he was a tax collector, he had an opportunity to visit a timber dealer on business. There he obtained some useful information; the timber of the Japanese cypress tree ,which is usually expensive, would be worthless as merchandise, only fit far disposal. He had been thinking of a way to make use of this useless timber. And he realized it in this way. After he resigned from the office at the age of 55, he enjoyed his retirement. He didn't have any instructor and began carving out of timber, taking the Noh masks in books or in photos as a model. His works are said to be very elaborate and well balanced. That's why his masks have a good reputation among his fellows and professionals. Some people hear about him and come to visit. It is said that Noh masks have 90 different types with 200 distinct patterns. He has so far completed 70 kinds and 150 patterns at his workshop called "Fuji Ken Bou" after his own name. "Noh masks should not be made in an original style. They should be created in the tradition manner. It gives me great pleasure to create a balanced work from the basic timber"

He first began carving masks out of timber in winter, and at the beginning his legs went to sleep. He thought he needed some exercise, so he started to grow wild grasses and to walk in the mountains. He is now absorbed in gathering the seeds of wild grasses and in growing them. He is busy with answering letters of inquiry from other lovers of wild grasses, telling them of the seed they want. The secrets of his good health are in doing whatever he wants, and doing some physical exercise.

Though he was only a boy at the time of the Second World War, he was free from the hardship of a food crisis, because his family lived by growing vegetables. He says with a smile, " If any thing, I ate too much every day." He doesn't drink but smokes a pack of cigarettes a day. Cigarettes are indispensable to him while at work.

His dream is to complete all of the Noh masks, 90 kinds and 200 patterns. He lives with his wife. He stands 162cm tall, and weighs 55kg.

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	The Case Of Fujioka Kenzo He takes pleasure in gathering wild grasses and herbs in summer, and in making masks for Noh plays in the winter. First impressions of him suggest that, as a former tax officer, he is very straight-laced. But once he starts to talk about his hobbies, Noh masks and wild grasses, a look of joy and gentleness comes to his face. The masks are used for Noh or Kyougen, which are traditional Japanese stage dramas. He made up his mind to make these masks, because he was in a favorable environment where timber was readily available. When he was a tax collector, he had an opportunity to visit a timber dealer on business. There he obtained some useful information; the timber of the Japanese cypress tree ,which is usually expensive, would be worthless as merchandise, only fit far disposal. He had been thinking of a way to make use of this useless timber. And he realized it in this way. After he resigned from the office at the age of 55, he enjoyed his retirement. He didn't have any instructor and began carving out of timber, taking the Noh masks in books or in photos as a model. His works are said to be very elaborate and well balanced. That's why his masks have a good reputation among his fellows and professionals. Some people hear about him and come to visit. It is said that Noh masks have 90 different types with 200 distinct patterns. He has so far completed 70 kinds and 150 patterns at his workshop called "Fuji Ken Bou" after his own name. "Noh masks should not be made in an original style. They should be created in the tradition manner. It gives me great pleasure to create a balanced work from the basic timber" He first began carving masks out of timber in winter, and at the beginning his legs went to sleep. He thought he needed some exercise, so he started to grow wild grasses and to walk in the mountains. He is now absorbed in gathering the seeds of wild grasses and in growing them. He is busy with answering letters of inquiry from other lovers of wild grasses, telling them of the seed they want. The secrets of his good health are in doing whatever he wants, and doing some physical exercise. Though he was only a boy at the time of the Second World War, he was free from the hardship of a food crisis, because his family lived by growing vegetables. He says with a smile, " If any thing, I ate too much every day." He doesn't drink but smokes a pack of cigarettes a day. Cigarettes are indispensable to him while at work. His dream is to complete all of the Noh masks, 90 kinds and 200 patterns. He lives with his wife. He stands 162cm tall, and weighs 55kg. *BACK*
		Carving from Japanese Cypress that is more than ten centimeters thick
		These comical masks are used on the Kyogen stage
		The foundation of his workshop is worthy of note. The stone foundation is just like a profile of his work.


*Noh Mask (Hannya)* This mask is said to be the revengeful ghost into which a woman was transformed by her rage and sorrow. This is used in some dramatic scenes of a play. Whitish masks are for the court ladies, and dark colored ones are for common women