Mask around the world Japanese Mask

Andre ArnoEssay • High School • November 6, 2012

Andre Arno • email: andre_arno@swa-jkt.com • High School 1

Mask around the World Japanese Mask

ESSAY

Mask have been diverse throughout the world. Different mask has its own ritual or ceremonies

that performed each year. Mask are mainly an object that is used for entertainment, performance,

ritual, protection or disguise. Different type of mask has its own unique performance especially a

ritual mask. Ritual mask is related to religious and mystic; mediate with spirits. It’s form/shape

has different characteristic and highly distinctive. During the performance of every ritual mask, it

has its own passage or make-up for form theatre. Japanese mask is one of the diverse culture

which have been used from the ancient times (10.000 B.C).

Japanese mask are known as a very old and highly state of art and modern theatre tradition. The

oldest Japanese mask are the ‘Gigaku’ Masks, ancient drama dance. This ancient mask is brought

up to Japan from the 7th Century. It is said that this was brought up by a guy named Mimashi

from Korea but he learned the dance drama in Region of Wu, China. There are 14 different sets

of ‘Gigaku’ masks and they are mostly placed in a Museum or Buddhist Temple because the

dance drama performances is no longer exist in the present day. The material is mainly made

from Paulownia Wood but some other types of the ‘Gigaku’ masks were made from other

material such as ceramic and dry lacquer. The size of the mask is mainly big which covers the

whole face area including ears and it’s structure design is represent as a demon, super human

natural, or animals. It’s design are crafted with more artistic and dramatic expression such black

outlines and facial features because it’s a silent drama. Hair is sometimes needed for decoration

in some different type of ‘Gigaku’ masks. The drama performance is a silent drama like mimes

and it accompanied by some musical instruments such as flute, drum, and cymbals. Nowadays,

the ‘Gigaku’ masks has spread and influenced all other Asian countries such as Indonesia, India,

and China.

The evolution of the ‘Gigaku’ Mask is now called a ‘Noh’ Mask and very familiar in nowadays.

‘Noh’ Masks have 60 different variety types of basic mask but now, there are 200 kinds in

different use. ‘Noh’ mask is different than the other; which inherent certain power that makes it

more spiritual. It is not certain where the exactly origin come from of the ‘Noh’ mask. Though

that the ‘Noh’ Mask come from the thirteen century; where the traditions come from the

‘Dengaku’ and ‘Sarugaku’. ‘Sarugaku’ was originally combination of performances from China;

which include juggling, acrobatics, and miming. The dance and ritual are performed in temples

or shrines. As it developed of gestures, words, and music arrangements; therefore by the end of

13th century, the ‘Noh’ masks has become one of the basis tradition. ‘Okinimai’ mask is the

oldest mask of ‘Noh’ Mask.

‘Noh’ Masks are mostly expressionless (lack of symmetry features) in design, so the actor must to

express more emotion through body movements. The material of ‘Noh’ mask is wood; which is

the oldest wood found in the Makimui. Its size has 21.5 centimeters long and 31.5 centimeter

wide and has no holes for straps, it held by hands. ‘Noh’ costumes are very luxurious and

expensive. The costumes have a basic straight line cut and consist of a knee-length padded silk robe worn with a small pillow to give the abdomen a rounded look; a long stiff divided skirt and outer robe. It has a special meaning on the costume such as the right sleeve flipped off and dropped over the performers’ back; describes madness or active movement. ‘Noh’ is performed by male actors and musician for the beat in perfect time. There are two performer, one with the mask and one is not. The ‘Noh’ theatre is in a modernism of musical drama dance. ‘Noh’ is regarded as beautiful but boring because it acts slower movement although it has elaborate costumes. ‘Noh’ theatre employs verse, pose, choral singing and dance to engage in formal themes such as life and death.

I conclude that Japanese mask has long diverse culture than the others and it has similarities of the basic mask techniques; plays, theaters, dance, and etc. Although, there weren’t much difference such as the different quality of movements and music background.

RESOURCES

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���. KAI, 7 Aug. 2008.

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