Kazimiera
11-04-2017, 07:29 PM
14 Japanese Masks
Source: https://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/japanese-masks
It's no secret that Japan is fond of masks.
In urban areas, people wear medical masks at the first sign of cedar allergies or a cold. Ostensibly this is all for practical reasons. People will also admit that they enjoy the feeling of privacy that masks provide in a crowded Japanese city.
Beyond modern medical masks, the country has rich traditions of wearing masks that goes back to the earliest days of its recorded history. Examples of Japanese masks include:
1. Samurai Masks
The Samurai wore masks into battle known as Mempo. These were designed both to protect the face and strike terror in the heart of the enemy. They were crafted by special artisans to suit the personality and preferences of each samurai.
http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/122/cache/mask-worn-by-elite-samurai_12263_600x450.jpg
http://lowres-picturecabinet.com.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/115/main/8/352143.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/MAP_Expo_Armure_samourai_05_01_2012_1.jpg/390px-MAP_Expo_Armure_samourai_05_01_2012_1.jpg
2. Kendo Masks
Kendo, literally "way of the sword", is a Japanese martial art that involves sword fighting with bamboo swords and protective armor. The mask component of the armor is known as a "Men" and is attached to the throat and shoulder armor.
https://www.japan-talk.com/images/jt/header/kendo-girls-4391-142.jpg
https://www.sports-fightclub.com/images/watermarked/3/detailed/11/kendo-mask-1.jpg?t=1455691629
3. Festival Masks
Traveling mask vendors follow the Japanese festival circuit all over the country selling overpriced cheap plastic masks in the shape of popular cartoon characters and mythical creatures. These masks can be found at virtually every Japanese festival. They only fit the smallest of children so people typically wear them to the side or back of their head.
https://www.japan-talk.com/images/jt/header/Japanese-Mask-4391-428.jpg
4. Hyottoko
Hyottoko is a mythical spirit who is represented with a mask. The stories attached to Hyottoko differ widely by region. In one example, he was a boy with a funny face who could produce gold from his bellybutton. In all variations of the myth, Hyottoko is a lucky spirit with a funny face.
Hyottoko plays a role in a number of traditional dances as a clown-like figure with foolish steps.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Hyottoko-karlcow-wikipedia.jpg/1200px-Hyottoko-karlcow-wikipedia.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/30/c9/40/30c940692c7cdf7ff6f47ce2ba8a7bb2.jpg
5. Okame
Okame is essentially the female version of Hyottoko. The two both have funny faces and are often seen together as a pair. Okame is generally seen as a goddess who generously spreads good fortune. It's common for shines to display gigantic Okame masks at festival time.
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/75/a4/1d/75a41d7109db19e8718b754bb120e1a2--japanese-mask-antique-decor.jpg
https://nohmask21.com/kagura/okame3-3.jpg
6. Oni
Oni are a generic Japanese demon or ogre. They are mischievous creatures who aren't particularly difficult to scare away with a little effort. Oni masks range from comical to incredibly fearsome. Rural Japanese festivals often involve locals wearing oni masks running wild with mischief through the streets.
On the setsubun holiday, dads and moms all over Japan put on a oni mask and try to scare the kids. The kids in turn scare the oni away by throwing beans.
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/9f/f2/6e/9ff26edd4366e52d6b415979fd362ecf--oni-mask-tattoo-japanese-oni.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cln7QjFWMAAlGIh.jpg
7. Hannya
Hannya are female demons represented much like oni but with horns. Hannya masks are used in Noh theater. They are usually portrayed as extremely fearsome and jealous characters.
https://nohmask21.com/hannya3/samuraihannya4.jpg
http://www.mingei-arts-gallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2652-Shiro-Hannya-Q8-993-x-1080-bis.jpg
Source: https://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/japanese-masks
It's no secret that Japan is fond of masks.
In urban areas, people wear medical masks at the first sign of cedar allergies or a cold. Ostensibly this is all for practical reasons. People will also admit that they enjoy the feeling of privacy that masks provide in a crowded Japanese city.
Beyond modern medical masks, the country has rich traditions of wearing masks that goes back to the earliest days of its recorded history. Examples of Japanese masks include:
1. Samurai Masks
The Samurai wore masks into battle known as Mempo. These were designed both to protect the face and strike terror in the heart of the enemy. They were crafted by special artisans to suit the personality and preferences of each samurai.
http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/122/cache/mask-worn-by-elite-samurai_12263_600x450.jpg
http://lowres-picturecabinet.com.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/115/main/8/352143.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/MAP_Expo_Armure_samourai_05_01_2012_1.jpg/390px-MAP_Expo_Armure_samourai_05_01_2012_1.jpg
2. Kendo Masks
Kendo, literally "way of the sword", is a Japanese martial art that involves sword fighting with bamboo swords and protective armor. The mask component of the armor is known as a "Men" and is attached to the throat and shoulder armor.
https://www.japan-talk.com/images/jt/header/kendo-girls-4391-142.jpg
https://www.sports-fightclub.com/images/watermarked/3/detailed/11/kendo-mask-1.jpg?t=1455691629
3. Festival Masks
Traveling mask vendors follow the Japanese festival circuit all over the country selling overpriced cheap plastic masks in the shape of popular cartoon characters and mythical creatures. These masks can be found at virtually every Japanese festival. They only fit the smallest of children so people typically wear them to the side or back of their head.
https://www.japan-talk.com/images/jt/header/Japanese-Mask-4391-428.jpg
4. Hyottoko
Hyottoko is a mythical spirit who is represented with a mask. The stories attached to Hyottoko differ widely by region. In one example, he was a boy with a funny face who could produce gold from his bellybutton. In all variations of the myth, Hyottoko is a lucky spirit with a funny face.
Hyottoko plays a role in a number of traditional dances as a clown-like figure with foolish steps.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Hyottoko-karlcow-wikipedia.jpg/1200px-Hyottoko-karlcow-wikipedia.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/30/c9/40/30c940692c7cdf7ff6f47ce2ba8a7bb2.jpg
5. Okame
Okame is essentially the female version of Hyottoko. The two both have funny faces and are often seen together as a pair. Okame is generally seen as a goddess who generously spreads good fortune. It's common for shines to display gigantic Okame masks at festival time.
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/75/a4/1d/75a41d7109db19e8718b754bb120e1a2--japanese-mask-antique-decor.jpg
https://nohmask21.com/kagura/okame3-3.jpg
6. Oni
Oni are a generic Japanese demon or ogre. They are mischievous creatures who aren't particularly difficult to scare away with a little effort. Oni masks range from comical to incredibly fearsome. Rural Japanese festivals often involve locals wearing oni masks running wild with mischief through the streets.
On the setsubun holiday, dads and moms all over Japan put on a oni mask and try to scare the kids. The kids in turn scare the oni away by throwing beans.
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/9f/f2/6e/9ff26edd4366e52d6b415979fd362ecf--oni-mask-tattoo-japanese-oni.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cln7QjFWMAAlGIh.jpg
7. Hannya
Hannya are female demons represented much like oni but with horns. Hannya masks are used in Noh theater. They are usually portrayed as extremely fearsome and jealous characters.
https://nohmask21.com/hannya3/samuraihannya4.jpg
http://www.mingei-arts-gallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2652-Shiro-Hannya-Q8-993-x-1080-bis.jpg