Author: grt2

Masks in Japanese Theatre

Grace Tinklepaugh 
Dr. Alla Myzelev 
ARTH 300: Fashion, Art, and Politics 
Spring 2021

Noh theatre is a form of Japanese drama that has been around since the early 1300s. It is well-known for its glamorous and intricate costumes and masks.

Noh theatre is known for the over the top and gorgeous styling, acting, costume, masks and artwork.

Noh masks are often used to represent the supernatural or animals in theatre. Noh theatre is a drama formulated around song and dance. This type of Japanese drama is well known for the elaborate costume, makeup, wings, and masks which add to the elements of the performance and the attributes of the characters. Noh Theatre is known for its extravagant music, dance and drama and themes of dreams, supernatural, and spirits. The masks are made of wood and hand painted using a style that date back thousands of years. These masks are often hundreds of years old and passed down to others. There are many different types of Noh masks that are used for specific plays and performances. The masks are used to amplify the drama of Noh theatre, and often represent spiritual beings and animals. The masks are hand painted and known for being gorgeous and detailed. Noh theatre and masks influenced future Japanese traditions in the arts.

Noh masks are recognized for their extremely detailed artwork.

In Japan masks were very popular and common both in the arts and society. From surgical masks to fashion to art, masks have been incorporated in many aspects of Japanese life. Deriving from historic religious rituals, masks have been a major part of Japanese culture since the beginning. In Japanese theatre there are multiple types of Noh masks. In the past, there used to be up to 60 different types of Noh masks used in theatre. Currently now, there are over 200 types of Japanese Noh masks used in theatre, all stemming from the traditional Noh masks of the early 1300s. The masks represent animals, specific characters, non-human characters, and the supernatural.

Noh masks are not always human, they are often animals as well. Pictured above is a fox Noh mask.

Noh theatre masks are made of a lightweight wood, for actors to wear for long periods of time. They are decorated with natural pigment using seashells and glue, along with paint. The masks are made to be worn during long periods of time and can handle a range of actions that the actor might be performing.

Japanese Noh masks are considered a part of Japanese traditional art. The art skill used for traditional Noh masks have been practiced for thousands of years.

Noh theatre is a very popular form of Japanese theatre representing dance, drama, glamorous costumes, and elaborate makeup and masks. This form of theatre is an all-male performance that was founded in the early 1300s. This classical theatre is well known for its extravagant costume and masks, that are essential to the characters identity and plot of the theatre.

Photo above represents the intricate makeup, masks, costume, and style used in Noh theatre.

Noh theatre inspired many traditions and trends later on in Japanese culture and society. This genre of theatre is often very dramatic and extravagant, in both its content and costume. The costumes are extremely luxurious and typically very vibrant with color and patterns. It is very common in Noh costume and masks to have bright vibrant colors. The colors often have a deeper meaning in this style of theatre. For positive traits and characters, the costume and masks include the colors: red and purple. Whereas the negative and villainous characters are represented by the colors: blue, black, and green.

Pictured above is a full Noh costume with mask.

One of the most popular and notable Noh masks is called the Hannya. The Hannya represents an evil female demon that has horns, sharp teeth, and metallic eyes. The mask represents jealousy and traditional bridal headwear. In Noh theatre all of the actors are male, which is why the masks are often used to portray female characters. In Japanese theatre, the main character often wears the Noh mask, along with the accompanying character (usually playing as a female character). Not only do Noh masks represent a specific character, they also represent emotions. The emotions often represented on Noh masks are sadness, anger, and happiness. Another popular character depicted by Noh masks is Oni. Oni is a red-faced demon and was worn by parents to remind their children of the dangers of demons. Children would throw beans at this mask to cast away the demon. Other notable characters depicted by specific masks were Tengu (a birdman who scared away bad spirits), Shinto (a magical shape shifting fox), and Hyottoko (a clown).

Noh character masks are still very popular and can be purchased online. They are still hand painted and crafted in intricate detail, resembling original Noh masks.

Masks are an essential part of Noh theatre. The masks play an important role in the theatre, the main character and accompanying character(s) almost always wear masks. However, the narrator in Noh theatre never wears a mask. The masks have set roles in Noh theatre and only specific characters can wear them. There are many different types of masks in Noh theatre categorized in a few basic ways. Some of the categories used to organize Noh masks are: otoko (human male), jo (elderly), onna (woman), uba (old woman), chigo (children), jinki (the supernatural), kijin (demons), and animals. Not only were masks used in plays, they were often depicted in Japanese artwork as well. Japanese artist frequently liked to paint and depict Noh masks on Japanese prints. Noh themes, scenes, and masks were popularly portrayed on Japanese art prints during the late 18th and 19th century. Noh masks have been appreciated and admired continuously since the early 14th century into the present. Japanese prints depicting Noh masks are still being sold and created in the present. Masks have been extremely influential in Japanese tradition, culture, and art. The masks are well respected and appreciated as an art form in multiple ways. Noh masks have also inspired makeup and art among common people. The art form has been extremely influential in society, even among common people. The continuous popularity shows how rich in culture and tradition Japanese art is. Noh was not exclusively for any group of people and was often very popular among commoners. Noh theatre is often described as the “people’s dramatic art”.

Antique Japanese Noh Masks are still sold in antique fairs to this day, which can range from low to very high prices.

Noh theatre has changed a lot throughout history, but the main principles and characteristics of this art form remain and are still appreciated to this day. Noh masks are an essential part of Japanese theatre and culture. These intricate and gorgeous masks represent tradition, culture, art, and history. Noh drama and theatre masks represent a variety of characters that were not only important in theatre, but in traditional stories shared and passed down within families. Noh masks were influential to later artistic developments in Japan, like Japanese art prints.

A Japanese print depicting a demon Noh mask.

Japanese masks are still purchased and appreciated to this day. These masks are still very popular in Japanese culture as they are still remembered through childhood tales, theatre, and art.

Traditional Japanese Noh theatre mask, hand painted traditional folk art.

Works Cited

“Back Matter.” Asian Theatre Journal, vol. 20, no. 1, 2003. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1124065. Accessed 7 Apr. 2021.

“Japanese Masks in Noh Theater and Kabuki.” Artelino, www.artelino.com/articles/japanese-masks.asp. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.

“Masks.” Traditional Kyoto, traditionalkyoto.com/culture/masks/. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.

“Noh Masks.” Kabuki Mask, kabukimask.com/. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.

“Noh Theatre.” Japan-Guide.com, www.japan-guide.com/e/e2091.html. Accessed 28 Apr. 2021.

Pronko, Leonard C. “Kabuki Today and Tomorrow.” Comparative Drama, vol. 6, no. 2, 1972, pp. 103–114. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/41152579. Accessed 7 Apr. 2021.

Scott, Adolphe Clarence. The Kabuki Theatre of Japan. E-book.

Stewart, Elizabeth. “Unmasking the Value of a Traditional Japanese Art Form.” Elizabeth Appraisals, elizabethappraisals.com/1960s-kabuki-masks/. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.

Our New Reality

Grace Tinklepaugh
Dr. Alla Myzelev
ARTH 300: Fashion, Art, and Politics
Spring 2021

At the beginning of the pandemic, there slowly started to be whispers of people having to wear masks to stop the spread of Covid-19. Masks were not a new concept as many of us knew that in Asian countries it was common for people to wear masks because of pollution and disease, but none of us ever expected it to be a reality in the United States. I first heard about masks at the beginning when the news started documenting what was happening in Italy.

Before being sent home from SUNY Geneseo, the news was beginning to document the effect of the virus in Italy, preparing Americans for what was possible to come. In February, at the beginning of the pandemic before it was in the United States, I was unsure how to feel about masks. On one hand, I was open to wearing one, but on the other I didn’t think in that moment it was necessary. For all of February and the majority of March I did not wear a mask. Once I was home in mid-March me and my family made the conscious decision to start wearing masks as it got worse not only in the United States, but in my hometown of Buffalo, New York. Soon after this my place of work, Wegmans, gave employees the options to wear masks. At first many employees, myself included, did not wear masks. Only a rare few of employees would wear the blue disposable masks to work.

We had clear window glass separating us from customers and a set cleaning schedule that in the beginning many of us felt we were safe enough with these guidelines in place. By the end of March, all employees were expected to wear a mask to work and my employer gave us free disposable masks for each shift, and later gave us two reusable fabric masks to start wearing every day.

In the beginning the first masks I wore were the light blue disposable masks. My mom, who was cautious of Covid-19 early on, had mass ordered reusable fabric masks for our family that we were patiently waiting for. Besides the disposable masks we all know, one of my first reusable masks was made by my Aunt. My aunt started making fabric masks for her friends and family because in the beginning there were little to no reusable masks in stores. My aunt Sue was quick to find videos and templates online to make masks and found the process to be super easy. The first few weeks at the beginning of the pandemic my aunt had stocked up on various designs of fabric and had made around 100 masks that she made for herself, her friends, coworkers, and family. Now that the pandemic has been going on for quite some time my aunt no longer makes masks since so many are sold in stores now.

Since March I either wear disposable light blue masks or reusable fabric masks from Old Navy. I have found that Old Navy makes the best reusable masks for me because the fabric is comfortable, they come in a huge variety of colors and patterns, and the straps on the sides can adjust depending on the tightness you want. This mask is made of 100% cotton and very comfortable for days when I work long shifts and have to wear my mask for upwards of eight hours. My family also now only strictly wears the Old Navy reusable masks because of how comfortable and easy to use they are.

Old Navy fabric reusable masks

My sister and I both work at Wegmans and often have to wear a mask for four to six hours depending on the day. We found these masks are the most comfortable while still keeping us safe. These masks are also in compliance with our work uniform, since our employer wants all employees to have plain colored or patterned masks. I also like these masks because they are so easy to clean and don’t shrink, like other fabric masks tend to do. The reusable fabric masks from old navy are also super affordable and have constant new designs to choose from. The mask I have chosen as my usual mask of choice is a reusable fabric mask from Old Navy. I would consider this mask to be a part of Pandemic fashion as reusable fabric masks are now very popular and a part of everyday fashion and safety.

My mask is a light blue green with white adjustable straps. The mask is 7.5 inches long and 3.5 inches wide. The material used for this mask is 100% cotton and very soft and comfortable to wear. There is one label indicating it is an Old Navy product, what it is made of, and how to wash it.

This object was mass produced and made in China according to the tag on the item. This mask is a light blue green color with white straps on the side. This is not the only color/design that the Old Navy masks come in, but all of them do have white straps regardless. This mask is only one month old. It is still the original shade and was kept well intact. There are no signs of tears or repairs needed to be made. The Old Navy masks that I own all have remained in good condition with the original color still visible and no rips or distress marks. The story behind this mask is that it was bought for me by my mother for Easter. My family’s favorite masks are from Old Navy and they are the ones we strictly buy now. My mom purchased a pack of ten for only around five dollars and split them among our family. This is one of the masks I wear the most regularly because it is one of my favorite colors. The events that influenced the production of this object was the need for a reusable mask during the pandemic. As it was getting harder and harder to find a supply of disposable masks, which you are recommended not to reuse, people needed a new form of mask that would keep you safe and last.