Japan Wood Hannya Demon Mask - Noh-Kyogen no Kazarimen

Description
Antique hand-carved wooden Japanese Hannya demon display mask (kazarimen). The Hannya mask is possibly one of the best known and most famous of all masks used with traditional Japanese Noh theatre (please read below to learn more about Noh and its sister performance art Kyogen). The mask of Hannya is typically worn to represent the face of a woman turned demon through jealousy and anger. The mask offered here is a splendid example of Hannya with striking detail and a fierce, captivating gaze.

About the Listed Item
This beautiful antique wooden display mask was acquired in the historic city of Shizuoka, Japan near the foot of Mt. Fuji. The mask is in fair condition though it does have marks and scratches from handling. The mask is also a bit dusty and wears a very dark patina of age and dates from the mid Japanese Showa period (1926-1989) or before.

Size:
Height: 10.5 inches (27.0 centimeters)
Width (across widest point): 5.9 inches (15.0 centimeters)
Weight: 14.9 ounces (425 grams)

More about Japanese Noh and Kyogen theatre
Noh (pronounced "no") theatre is one of the classical Japanese forms of stage performance. Noh and its more light hearted and humorous sister art Kyogen are often performed together in traditional theater houses within large Japanese cities. In the past, formal Noh/Kyogen performances would last all day with several heavy and serious Noh dramas of different genres being performed with periodic Kyogen performances between these to give the audience a break and a chance to laugh. Noh actors are always male (even the ones dressed as women), and normally share the stage with an orchestra of traditional Japanese musicians as well as a choir. The actors recite their lines in old Japanese style (most Japanese can't understand them and must follow the story with a written script) sung with trailing syllables oscillating with flowing emphasis. Noh and Kyogen actors often wear masks to help them better portray the character they are playing or to lend emphasis to key points of their performance. With the exception of demon masks (which are very expressive) most Noh/Kyogen masks are neutral in expression, requiring the actor to indicate emotion exclusively through subtle body movements. The craft of making Noh and Kyogen masks is an important Japanese art form in itself and many masks (particularly the dramatic demon and god masks) are collected by Japanese and foreign enthusiasts of Japanese culture.

item code: R1S6-0003397
ship code: G6

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Japan
• Wood
• Hannya
• Demon
• Mask
• Noh-Kyogen
• no
• Kazarimen
• Theatre
• Tokaido
• Softypapa

[theoxxz8]

please help me i found these weird looking hand carved wooden masks but i cant find any info on type or name of these masks please if u can help me ill appreciate it, these mask look like the have real animal teeth inbeaded in them.

[theoldtokaido]

Hello theoxxz8,

I'm happy to try and help. Please send any photos or detailed descriptions to me at the email address listed in my YouTube user profile and I will be happy to tell you whatever I can.

Sincerely,

Kurt (softypapa) :-)

[Peekingduck]

Very wabi sabi.

Interesting information too.

Thanks

[theoldtokaido]

Hello Peekingduck, It's always a pleasure to read your comments which are greatly appreciated. I remember when I discovered this mask that my thoughts were the same as yours. The wear, patina and evident age all conspire to give this mask a very special character. Thanks as always for watching and commenting! Sincerely, -Kurt :-)

[PirateKing1256]

This mask show jeslously of a women. Wiki.

[arkendias2]

very scary, amazing mask

[UndeadxGothic]

I once played a fighting game and there was a samurai who wore this mask,but it was white and he's my favorite character. Now I want this mask! :D

[SweetRodent]

Hi, do you know a good webbsite there they sale those masks??

[Tattooedart]

hi there, nice mask. I am looking for a couple of hannya masks for my tattoo studio in new Zealand as i specialise in nihon no irezumi. please let me know what you would like for it? Thankyou

[maecbea]

I want that xD

[grantoldblueeagle]

This is based on the famous Hannya mask worn in Japan’s Noh theater. it depicts a beautiful woman who has been turned into a horned monster because of her jealousy and anger at being rejected after falling in love with a priest.

[TheHellknight12]

where would i buy the demon mask. And how much is it

[ninjabastard666]

very nice

[ManabeRokuro]

Is it for sell???

[ddshears]

An Oni?

[Bluestreakteam]

Oni...