Noh Chopsticks
Today the We're Here group are visiting the Chopsticks group.
Masks are an essential element of the centuries-old tradition of Noh theater, signifying to the audience many aspects of the wearer’s character. Whilst they obviously hide the actor’s expressions, they’re carefully carved to catch the stage light and change expression depending on the angle of the mask’s shadow.
A major figure in Noh theatre is Hannya, a face so ingrained in Japanese culture it’s one you’ve probably seen before, and one that is a popular tattoo motif. The fearsome Hannya is a jealous female demon. Hannya masks display a complex number of emotional states depending on how the light catches the features of the mask.
When an actor wearing a Hannya mask looks directly at the audience they see an angry female face; however, if Hannya looks at the ground, the relected light creates the illusion almost as though she is crying.
The different colors of a Hannya mask represent the different standings of the character: a white mask means a woman of refined character, red is for those who are a little less refined, while the darkest of reds is reserved for the evilest of all the demons - a woman who has lost complete control of her jealousy.
Noh Chopsticks
Today the We're Here group are visiting the Chopsticks group.
Masks are an essential element of the centuries-old tradition of Noh theater, signifying to the audience many aspects of the wearer’s character. Whilst they obviously hide the actor’s expressions, they’re carefully carved to catch the stage light and change expression depending on the angle of the mask’s shadow.
A major figure in Noh theatre is Hannya, a face so ingrained in Japanese culture it’s one you’ve probably seen before, and one that is a popular tattoo motif. The fearsome Hannya is a jealous female demon. Hannya masks display a complex number of emotional states depending on how the light catches the features of the mask.
When an actor wearing a Hannya mask looks directly at the audience they see an angry female face; however, if Hannya looks at the ground, the relected light creates the illusion almost as though she is crying.
The different colors of a Hannya mask represent the different standings of the character: a white mask means a woman of refined character, red is for those who are a little less refined, while the darkest of reds is reserved for the evilest of all the demons - a woman who has lost complete control of her jealousy.