The Dark Stories Behind Japanese Festival Masks Tokyo Weekender


The Dark Stories Behind Japanese Festival Masks Tokyo Weekender

Today, Japanese festival masks come in all sorts of varieties, including superheroes, cartoon characters, magical foxes etc. The more traditional ones can trace their origin to sacred court dances and performances but today they're mostly treated as silly-looking souvenirs.


Masks for children at summer festival, Tokyo, Japan Stock Photo Alamy

April 3, 2022 1457 0 Home Culture Traditional Japanese Masks Japan has hundreds of traditional masks, some of which you've probably seen before in movies, games, or noticed within your phone's emoji selection. With Japan's long and rich history, these masks carry important and interesting cultural significance.


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Japanese Festival Masks Other masks are traditionally used in local festivals or Shinto rituals. Oni (demon) masks, which have furrowed brows, short, spiky horns, and sharp fangs, are used during Setsubun, the day before the beginning of spring in Japan.


Traditional Japanese Masks and What They’re Used For

Japanese masks are an artform of unlimited variety. There are theater masks, tailored for each indivual character and mood; there are religious masks, the physical embodiment of spirits; and masks are also worn for festivals and celebrations, some peculiar to one small town, others in festivities across the country.


The Kitsune Mask More Than Just A Theatrical Prop or Decorative Piece

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.


The Dark Stories Behind Japanese Festival Masks Tokyo Weekender

Throughout the year there are a great number of festivals held in Japan, and during certain festivals masks are very popular. Among them there is the Kitsune-bi Matsuri, centered around the folk tale Kitsune no Yomeiri, or the Fox Bride.


10 Things You Might Not Know About Traditional Japanese Masks

1. Oni Masks - Japanese Demon Namahage Festival in Akita Oni means demon or monster in Japanese, and this mask is one of the most terrifying of all. It usually features a bright red face with an angry expression. Its eyes are usually a demonic yellow and it has long canine teeth.


The Dark Stories Behind Japanese Festival Masks Tokyo Weekender

Experience the festive spirit of Japan with our colorful and captivating festival masks, featuring iconic designs such as Kitsune, Tengu, Hyottoko, and Okame. Bring the legendary warriors of Japan to life with our authentic Samurai and Ninja masks, expertly designed to reflect the strength, honor, and mystique of these ancient fighters.


Jmasks 4 by sahua on DeviantArt Japanese mask, Japanese tattoo

Japanese masks are an integral part of Japanese culture, used for a variety of purposes from theatrical performances to traditional festivals and religious rituals. What are the reasons for wearing a Japanese mask? There are many reasons why people might wear "Japanese masks." For some, it is simply a matter of style or fashion.


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The Japanese kitsune mask is worn by the participants of the festival to celebrate the Japanese legend about the marriage of foxes! The traditional kitsune mask is so popular in Japan that it can also be seen in the most read manga like Naruto.


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9 Kinds of Japanese Traditional Masks | POP JAPAN From the various kinds of masks used in theatre, to the modern fashionable black masks, behind them are marks of the rich history and culture of the nation.


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The Oni mask, derived from Japanese folklore, is renowned as the most iconic Japanese mask. It represents demon-like creatures and holds a significant place in Japanese culture. The Oni mask is renowned for its menacing expression. Sharp fangs and horns accentuate it. What Does the Oni Mask represent?


Traditional Japanese Masks and What They’re Used For

Japanese Festival Mask (1 - 40 of 174 results) Items sold on Etsy, such as masks, aren't medical-grade. Etsy sellers cannot make medical or health claims. More info. For CDC guidance on masks see here. Price ($) Shipping All Sellers


Traditional Japanese theater and festival masks Japanese mask

Traditional Japanese masks are either archetypes borrowed from myths and gods or representing emotions, and they have been used in Shinto shrine festivals, rituals, and traditional drama called Noh. Some of them are quite popular Japanese masks that you can still see today. History of Japanese Masks


Fox Festival Japanese festival, Kitsune mask, Japan culture

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Collection of Kabuki Masks (2015); Tranpan23, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Hannya Masks. Hannya masks are another form of traditional Japanese mask that primarily represents a serpent with horns and fangs or a female demon. The Hannya mask is one of the oldest and most well-known types of Japanese masks that featured in Kyogen and Noh theater productions.

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