The Japanese jealous female mask is known as the Hannya mask.
The Hannya mask is a distinctive mask used in traditional Japanese performing arts to depict a female demon or serpent. It specifically represents women who have been transformed into demons due to intense emotions like jealousy and obsession.
Understanding the Hannya Mask
The Hannya mask is a powerful symbol in Japanese theatre, particularly in the Noh and Kyōgen traditions. Its appearance is instantly recognizable, featuring sharp fangs, metallic eyes, and often horns. The expression can appear both sorrowful and terrifying depending on the angle from which it is viewed, reflecting the complex emotions of the character it portrays.
Based on the provided reference:
- The hannya mask portrays the souls of women who have become demons due to obsession or jealousy.
- This transformation is described as being similar to the Buddhist concept of a hungry ghost, highlighting the insatiable nature of the character's suffering and rage.
The mask's design serves to convey the character's tortured state – a human woman consumed by jealousy and rage, losing her humanity and becoming something monstrous.
Where the Hannya Mask is Used
The Hannya mask is prominently featured in several types of Japanese performances and rituals:
- Noh Plays: Used to represent characters driven mad or transformed by jealousy, such as the Lady Rokujō in Aoi no Ue.
- Kyōgen Plays: While less common than in Noh, it can appear in certain Kyōgen pieces, though Kyōgen generally uses less elaborate masks.
- Shinto Ritual Kagura Dances: Utilized in some traditional Shinto dances, often those with narrative elements involving spirits or transformations.
The use of the Hannya mask adds a layer of visual and emotional intensity to these performances, embodying the destructive power of human emotions like jealousy.
