The Process can be described in two parts: carving the form and painting/finishing.
1. Carving
Using chisels, hammer and saw the face of the character is carved out of a block of wood.
Traditionally Hinoki (japanese cypress) wood from the Kiso region in Nagano Prefecture is preferred for its’ softness and the fine grains. It comes from trees, that are approximately 200 to 300 years of age. It is the same sort of wood, that is used for restoring temples and shrines, and for carving buddhist sculptures.
The shape of the face is carved with so called “Katagami” - templates that give proportions of the model mask.
2. Painting