Figure of Kyogen performer in role of Sambaso

The figure represents Sambaso, one of the three characters in the No play Okina, which originated in ancient fold beliefs and prayers for a bountiful harvest. The play always came first in a program of No plays, and was performed on felicitous occasions such as the New Year. In the performance the handsome young man Senzai danced first, and was followed by the god of longevity, Okina, who wore the bearded white mask of an old man. Then came Sambaso, who danced twice, first without a mask and then wearing a black version of the Okina mask. In contrast to the mysterious solemnity of Okina's dance, both of Sambaso's dances were lively and comical.

This figure is identified by its costume (with designs of cranes and pine seedlings, connoting longevity and new life), active posture with right arm upraised and left arm outstretched (probably once holding a dance fan), and facial expression representing Sambaso as he performed his first dance, when he chants the ancient cries of "yo, hon, ho!" The figure was probably meant to be displayed in the alcove of a formal drawing room at the New Year. Freer acquired this figure from the Paris dealer Siegfried Bing (1838-1905), who was famous for supporting art nouveau and promoting Japanese antiques in Europe.