The imported ones came from former French colonies in Africa. Wooden masks from the Bambara tribe of Mali, the Baule and Yaouré tribes of Côte d’Ivoire. They were heavy, dark wood, hybrids of man and animal.
But the Japanese theater masks were the most beloved. He hung them vertically, like a totem pole, down one side of his bookshelf. His daughter later said that he drew from these masks to create Bip’s expressive traits.
One is a woman. She’s an ideal beauty of the Heian era, with shaved eyebrows, red lips, and blackened teeth.
There’s an old-timer smiling. His hair has receded to the crown. He grows a long beard and deep wrinkles crisscross his forehead. His cheekbones cast shadows over his thin face.
There are two demon masks. One, an oni, made of ivory. She’s a woman, mouth open, eyes golden.
Another frowning face.
Some granddaddies. Their grins surrounded with trimmed mustaches and goatees.