![]() However, it seems that the long-nosed version grew out of older traditions of Sarutahiko and Aragami. Most Tengu masks will have a small, black cap as worn by yamabushi. ![]() The tengu is most commonly associated with the Yamabushi, itinerant mountain priests who studied magic and ritual deep in the mountains, and so Tengu masks are commonly found at the numerous shrines and temples associated with these Shugendo priests. Often translated as "forest goblin", Tengu masks are most often red and feature a very long nose, although originally depicted more bird-like with a beak, both types paired together can sometimes be seen. A true hanya mask is cleverly crafted so that when the angle of the mask changes the underlying sadness is visible, not just the horror. When a woman becomes obsessed with jealousy or anger she transforms into a Hanya, and there are also many masks showing the gradual changes from a woman's face into a full demon face. The Hanya is a kind of female demon, but whereas the Oni tends to represent the dangerous "other" or external force, the Hanya is representative of the dark side of women's nature. Perhaps the most recognizably Japanese mask is the Hannya or Hanya. Also around mid-winter time many regions have similar traditions involving Oni perhaps the most famous being the Namahage of Akita in the far north of Japan.Ī mask maker at work carving a Hannya mask in his workshop in Kunisaki, Oita Hannya Oni masks are common around Setsubun, the New Year according to the old lunar calendar that is now celebrated usually in February.ĭuring this time beans are thrown at Oni to drive them away. Red is the most common color though red and blue/green pairings are not unusual. While regional variations are plentiful, in general they tend to be very hairy and with two horns. Usually translated as "demon", the Japanese oni is probably better described as "ogre" as they are not the pure evil that the English word demon often connotes. Made of paper, Iwami kagura masks are known to be the most expressive and detailed of all kagura masksĪ modern Hannya mask, carved in wood, from Oita in Kyushu Oni (ogre) Iwami Kagura performance of the famous Oeyama legend from Kyoto. The major styles that you might come across when visiting Japan are as follows. ![]() They make for a memorable souvenir of your time in Japan. Historically masks were carved out of wood, but nowadays Japanese style papier mache is used and also of course plastic. There are a massive variety of mask styles to be found in Japan, especially regional variations. Increasingly masks can be found in the entrance spaces of private homes, again for their function of warding off evil. Nowadays masks can be found in performances of Noh theater, Kagura dancing, religious ritual, and in a variety of festival settings.ĭisplays of masks, often used to ward off evil, can be found at many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples as well as in the treasure house museums of those establishments. Nobody knows for sure exactly when the Japanese began wearing masks, but their use in ritual and entertainment, often the same thing, goes back as far as the beginning of recorded history.
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