Hannya Mask Study

Year
2024

These masks are used in Noh theatre culture in Japan.  Masks, like the Hannya, are used to represent a characters emotions and a point in his/her journey.  The Hannya mask is worn to represent a woman whose soul has transformed into a demoness, for being overcome with obsession and jealousy.   

Although they can be seen as demonic spirits, they can also be sorrowful or tormented, deeply tied to the characters emotional journey to this point.  Looking at the Hannya straight on, the mask is angry, and made to strike fear in the viewer.  However, tilting the mask forward, it appears sorrowful, as if it were crying.  There is always more to discover with each mask.  

In my study I have focused on creating masks that display as many of these different emotions, as I felt would work, when viewed in different lighting and perspectives.  From happiness, to sorrow, resentment, and to anger; all in a single mask.  

A detailed red and turquoise Hannya mask with blue accents, fangs, and horns, set against a black background.
Four colorful, detailed masks with demon or mythical creature designs, featuring spikes, horns, and vivid color schemes of red, blue, yellow, and purple, set against a black background.
Red and black Hannya mask with horns on a black background.
Sculpture of Hannya Mask, with sunset colours against a black background.
Sculpted Hannya Mask that is pink, gray, and black sections, against a black background.
Wild Hannya Mask
Crazy Hannya Mask
Green and purple, Hannya Mask, set against a black background.
A decorative Hannya mask featuring a blue face with a gold skull in the center, large gold horns, and a black background.
A decorative Hannya mask that is painted blue and black, with green horns and teeth, set against a black background.