Wooden mask from the early 3rd century unearthed at the Nishiiwata site in Osaka, third example nationwide

Explanation

At the Nishiiwata site in Higashiosaka City, Osaka Prefecture, excavation work associated with the extension of the Osaka Monorail unearthed a wooden mask believed to have been made in the early 3rd century (around the beginning of the Kofun period). Made of cedar, it measures about 30 cm in length, 18 cm in width, and up to 2 cm in thickness, with holes cut for the eyes and mouth, and a nose shaped by carving around it. Also found at the same time were a wooden vessel for holding water and farming tools scorched by fire, suggesting they may have been used in agricultural rituals (ceremonies) involving water and fire. This is only the third example nationwide of a wooden mask from this period to be found, following the Makimuku and Daifuku sites in Nara Prefecture. It is on display at the "Excavated Japanese Archipelago 2026" exhibition (June 13 – July 26, 2026) at the Edo-Tokyo Museum.