Japanese Mask

Japanese masks are important Traditional goods in Japanese culture. In kabuki theater, they are used to embody a character, such as a demon, or to translate an expression, such as anger. Each mask has a meaning.

Even today, traditional masks are still used by theater actors or Shinto dancers. You can also see them in shrines or during the many Japanese festivals that punctuate the country. They are rather noticed during Matsuri festivals or during exceptional occasions, even sometimes during the performance of traditional dances.

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The majority of these masks are remnants borrowed from ancient traditions and beliefs, and they have become one of the best known Japanese customs today.

Japanese Masks are a true work of art and are one of the many proofs of the talent and creativity of Japanese craftsmen. Hanging on a wall, the mask can bring this folkloric touch in a hallway or in the entrance of your home.

One of the best known masks is the samurai mask made to evoke fear in the enemy, one of the favorite among the customers of Japanese Temple. To protect your face, it is true that seeing a mask devoid of emotion and expression and not being able to see the true face of a man could destabilize opponents.

These masks can also be seen in contemporary Japanese culture, in movies, manga and even in video games, showing us the impact of these masks on Japanese people today. But we can also discover a large choice through them:

• A Kitsune Mask : Kitsune means fox in Japanese, in the history of Japan foxes are recognized as mystical creatures with the ability to transform themselves into different species including humans. You will find them mainly at Shinto festivals, which, for the record, Shinto is the god of rice that brings prosperity and enrichment to those who worship him.
• The legendary Hyokotto Mask : Japanese masks with a humorous facial expression, easily recognizable because it is very often represented with a mouth stretched out as if the mask was whistling. It is also often worn by dancers at major festivals.
• Or the Oni Masks : Easily recognizable by their bright red colors, or by their demonic expressions, they represent demons and are most often worn during the Setsubun "bean throwing festival",

Sometimes parents also wear these masks to frighten children who have to defend themselves by throwing beans at demons. This practice is supposed to bring good luck at home during the year.

Masks are part of Japanese culture and the evolution of Japanese art ! They have all gone through different stages in terms of shapes and representations.

At the time of the coronavirus where masks have never been so present around us, we decided to sell also this kind of anti-pollution mask.