What's Japanese Mask?

History of Japanese Mask

Japanese Musk made in the 7th century.

Japanese masks were first made in the 7th century.
The masks exited all over the world.
They were used in religious festivals to play God for good harvest.
By putting on the masks, people changed their personalities.
The masks were the target of faith at this period of time.

Prince Shotoku made these musk famous in Japan.

Prince Shotokuwas a regent and a politician in the Imperial Court.
Shotoku was born as the son of the Emperor. He was interested in cultures of the mainland Asia, particularly Chinese cultures and tried to spread Japanese Buddhism.
He also the Seventeen-articles or constitution( Jushichijo kenpo), which one of the earliest moral dictatorial documents in history.
In the 7th century , Gigaku came from China. This is the beginning of the Japanese masks history.


The Kind of Gigaku-Men

Gigaku use a lot of kind of musk, depends on the act.

Karura

Karura

Karura is the Indian God in shape of a huge bird, who eats even dragons. In Sanskrit language it is called “Garuda”. Buddhism it is a member of the group of 8 Gods ,And it is the god of protection. It’s wings are gold ,and it spits fire from its mouth constantly.

Rikisi

Rikisi

Rikishi was a great fighter who threw down an evil spirit in China in Go-era. Now in Japanese Sumo , we call fighters Rikishi named after him.
In Go-era he act as a hero.

Sisi

It is considered as the origin of Shishimai, which is a ritual dance in lion’s masks performed in intervals of Giraku

Kuron

It is a masks with a big mustache and a large sharp ear.
Giraku he embodies sexual greed and is beaten down by Rikishi.

Gokou

It is a mask of a middle-aged man with calm features representing a Chinese king existed in Go-era.
As the name suggests , it shows us how Chinese men looked like in the ancient times.

Gojyu

It is a women’s mask representing the queen of Gokou.
This mask describes Chinese beauty at that time.