"Running in retreat," a *bugaku 舞楽 dance and mask *bugakumen 舞楽面 representing a stern-faced, bulging-eyed man. Also known as taishukutoku 退宿徳 (retreat to a virtuous lodging) and oimai 老舞 (dance of the aged). Classification (for terms see bugaku): a quiet dance hiramai 平舞 of the Right u-no-mai 右舞 originally from Korea komagaku 高麗楽 performed by four or six dancers dressed in a layered costume kasaneshōzoku 襲装束 with embroidered vest. No helmet is employed; rather, a striped hood is worn, adding to the mask's impact in performance.
Taishōtoku masks are often confused with the masks of shinshōtoku 進走禿 (running in advance), also known as wakamai 若舞 (dance of youth). The tai (retreat) and shin (advance) in the names indicate elements of the choreography. The two masks seem to be identical; their distinction, according to the 13th-century treatise on bugaku, Kyōkunshō 教訓抄, lies in coloring alone: white for taishōtoku, red for shinshōtoku. Although all 32 masks known today are labeled taishōtoku, a few have red coloring, indicating that they originally may have been intended as shinshōtoku.
One of the oldest taishōtoku masks dates from 1042, and is kept at Ise Jingū 伊勢神宮 (BM 27). The large round eye holes form a triangle with the prominent medallion in mid-forehead. The parted lips of the broad mouth expose two rows of teeth. Later masks have bulging eyeballs and dominant pupils. The 11th or 12th century Tamukeyama Hachimangū 手向山八幡宮 mask (BM 28) has a fleshiness which intensifies the negative aggressiveness seen also in the crossed eyes and bared teeth.