Masks have been an important part of rituals and plays in Japan since 10,000 BC. They were used to depict common people, deities, ghosts, heroes, animals, and devils. There are several varieties of masks including Gigaku masks which were the oldest and brought from Korea, Hannya masks which represent vengeful women, and Shikami masks which depict ferocious demons. The masks were made from materials like wood and lacquer and were used in important cultural practices and performances.

1. Japanese Masks
Daniel Hsu

2. History
masks, or マスク ( 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

3. Variety of Masks
Gigaku
Ondekomen
Gyodo
Bugaku Masks
Hannya
Otoko
Uba
Komote
Shikami

4. Gigaku
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

5. Ondekomen

6. Gyodo
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

7. Bugaku 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

8. Hannya
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

9. Otoko
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

10. Uba
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

11. Komote
represents a calm, composed and beautiful face of a
woman
used by men who played female characters in Noh plays

12. Shikami
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

13. Conclusion