Skip to main content
Like
Create new Glog
previous
next
Email share
517 views | 0 likes | 0 reposts
Japan is one of the few nations of the world that uses it's masks for recreation, and not preformance. The use of masks in theater died over time. They were used for many other purposes though.
Early Noh Mask
Ancient samuri used mask to frighten their enemies, and believe it help lend them divine powers.
In Japanese society, there were close to no official rituals. There were some rituals held to ward off spirits, but that's it. The samuri would behead a fallen foe, and take his mask as part of a ritual to honor them. They would also keep their masks on during the act of sapucku in battle. They hoped that the spirit of the mask would aid their allies as they died.
Some areas would use their mask styles to scare children into obediance. These masks are known as oni masks. Oni are demons that have many supernatural powers.
Noh masks like me where used to represent the soul of an evil woman.
Masks are used today to bring a family luck. Some are still used to do simple demon banishment rituals, but not as many believe in the spirits any more.
Aw, man!
Masks of Japan
And now that we mentioned the Oni, lets get a little more indepth.
There is also the tradition of the Fox mask. The fox was a creature of wisdom to the Japanese. It was also a creature to fear thanks to the Kitsune, or nine tailed fox.
