For sale as part of a collection clear-out. This is a fire-prevention god mask (male) from the Aizu region, a folk craft. It was created using the Aizu hariko (papier-mâché) method, and has a very powerful presence. This fire-prevention god item is a rare find, as the craft has already been discontinued. It was somewhat common in the past, but it will likely become harder to obtain in the future. The fire-prevention god is a folk craft version of the Kamado-gami (kitchen god) from the Aizu region. The Kamado-gami is a folk belief found throughout Japan, where a fearsome-faced mask is affixed above the kitchen stove and enshrined as a god of fire prevention. This belief served as the origin for the creation of these papier-mâché masks. The back of the mask bears the maker's mark, "Kyuya." After researching, it appears to be the work of a famous fire-prevention god craftsman. Size: Approximately 45cm tall, 31.5cm wide, 17cm deep Due to the very large size of the item, please allow some time for shipping. Thank you for your understanding. As this is an old item, there are some scratches and stains due to aging. Please examine the photos carefully and purchase with the understanding that no claims or returns will be accepted.