usofuki; kyogen mask with bulging eyes and pursed lips
A specific Noh/kyogen mask characterized by exaggerated, bulging eyes and tightly pursed lips, as if whistling. Used in comedic interludes.
The usofuki mask used in kyogen is characterized by a comical expression with pursed lips.
At the Noh theater exhibition, I saw an Edo-period usofuki mask.
Standard kanji spelling for this Noh mask term.
Variant spelling; less common than 嘯.
Variant spelling; less common than 嘯.
The name うそふき literally means 'whistling' (嘘吹き), referring to the pursed-lip expression of the mask. The kanji 嘯 is an ateji associated with whistling or calling out.