Japanese MasksJapanese MasksJapanese MasksJapanese MasksDaniel HsuDaniel HsuDaniel HsuDaniel Hsu

HistoryHistoryHistoryHistory

masks, or masks, or マスクマスク (( 仮面仮面 ),), were of great importance in ancient Japan for rituals and also for plays

different characters or creatures depicted with the help of these masks include common people, deities, ghosts, heroes, animals and devils

Masks were used in Japan from 10,000 B.C. Apart from use in plays and rituals, the masks were also used to cover faces of deceased ones

Variety of MasksVariety of MasksVariety of MasksVariety of Masks

Gigaku

Ondekomen

Gyodo

Bugaku Masks

Hannya

Otoko

Uba

Komote

Shikami

GigakuGigakuGigakuGigaku

the oldest form of masks used in Japan

Gigaku is actually a dance drama of ancient Japan and the masks associated with it are therefore known as the gigaku (masks)

brought to Japan from Korea in the 7th century

used to represent faces of different creatures such as birds, lion, demons and superhumans

made from paulownia wood

OndekomenOndekomenOndekomenOndekomen

GyodoGyodoGyodoGyodo

used in representing Buddhist figures, dragon gods, guardian deities and bishamon (buddhist deity)

Most of the gyodo masks found today are from the Heian period

Bugaku MasksBugaku MasksBugaku MasksBugaku Masks

made from cypress wood (some made with dry lacquer and from the 8th century can also be found)

cover only the face and not ears

HannyaHannyaHannyaHannya

represents a woman turned demon

represents the expression of anger and resentment of a vengeful woman

the red colored mask is associated with anger of higher intensity

OtokoOtokoOtokoOtoko

used to represent young people who enjoy a high status in society, like warriors

men with hair at the sides portray a simple person without an aristocratic look

UbaUbaUbaUba

represent old women and 'Takasago' is the play in which they are most commonly used

carved and colored with gray hair in order to depict the old age of the women

furrows and lines on the mask also helps define its identity of an woman

KomoteKomoteKomoteKomote

represents a calm, composed and beautiful face of a woman

used by men who played female characters in Noh plays

ShikamiShikamiShikamiShikami

a demon mask with features such as fang-like teeth, furrowed brow and a snarling mouth

displays a ferocious expression

the color represents anger or rage

the teeth is colored with metallic gold

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