Introduction

What does this sight show you?

　Welcome to our website.

　This site is to introduce unique Japanese culture, that is to say the masked character in traditional folk performing arts. They are sometimes in shrine festival (called Matsuri), sometimes come to people’s house as a sacred visitor, sometimes appear in annual events and “Kagura” (this is a play which Japanese give to deities).

　Do you know how many ‘Matsuri’ there are in Japan? Some estimate there to be (One theory goes as follows) about three hundred thousands! Masked characters emerge in not all Matsuris but some of them. They express deities and demon by wearing masks. Japan has so many traditional strange masked characters.

Japan is one of the world’s leading countries for masked characters.

　For example, Charles Fre’ger, a photographer of France, published photographic inventory “WILDER MAN” (a collection of winter masquerade in Europe). Recently, he also published “YOKAI NO SHIMA” (a collection of Japanese deities, sacred animals, sacred visitors). Even though Japan is just an island, it has many characters compared to Europe. This country is full of fantastic events and strange characters. We will intoduce them.

　Do you know the Japanese traditional performing art “Noh”? Noh actors used about twenty kinds of masks in 14th C, now their numbers have increased about two hundred kinds. Contemporary, theater directors stopped using traditional maska, changing to realism, but in the “Noh” world, the number of masks are increasing. Why there so many masked characters in Japan?

Why does Japan have so many traditionally masked characters?

　I think, there are two reasons.
　One is polytheism. From ancient times, Japan has had a religious culture based on polytheism worshiping nature or sprits like shamanism or animism (called “Shinto”). Japanese express various spirits by wearing masks. Secondly, Japanese basically love unique characters. In old times they make “Dogu” (ancient statue by clay 10,000 years ago~2400 years ago), “Haniwa” (figure with clay for grave goods, 3 C~6 C) , buddha statue or “Yokai”.

　Now, Japanese have created figures of characters. Many companies and shops have original mascot characters.

　 Recently, popular “Yurukyara” have been used for local government campaigns. Spin-off merchandise is worth about 500 billion. Lovely characters are effective for advertising in this country.

　Traditional masked characters are in the genealogy and have a long history. You will find it interesting. I think some of them will give you pleasure and amusement. You might discover another new world of Japan.
　Shall we go into the YOKAI NO SHIMA” ?
　Please look forward to it !

The world of deities, ogres and other strange beings in Japan

You may feel that they are mysterious and strange like monsters or “yokai“. But…you may say “I have not seen things like these on other sights about Japan”. It’s natural for you to feel that way. They usually don’t make an appearance. They conceal themselves behind in the dark. But they exist. And they appear only on special days. These days are traditional festivals called “Matsuri“.

　I suppose you have seen many masked mysterious characters all over the world. The famous Carnival of Venice, Krampus in Germany, the Carnival in Orulo, Dogon mask festival and so on. But you overlook Japan. Certainly, any other travel sight about Japan doesn’t show them. They show Mt. Fuji, Asakusa, Fushimi Inari shrine or Kinkakuji-temple, the famous golden temple in Kyoto. They hardly show walking ogres or dancing yokai.
　No.
　I suppose Japan has more masked characters than any other countries. Most people imagine Japan as the country of technology, tall buildings, high-tech cars, animation or samurai. These are one side of Japan. Behind many buildings and cars, traditional strange beings hide. Many travelers are not interested in them. If travelers want to see them, it is difficult to happen to. So this sight will introduce those strange beings from all over Japan.

You visited this sight and read this. Someone said “Everything happens for a reason”. In Japan, a fox spirit haunts people. You might already have been called.
This site mainly introduces festivals featuring masked performers that can be seen in Japan, as well as historic townscapes well worth visiting. If you’ve already decided where you’d like to go, start by searching within each area. If you’ve set a date, click on the relevant month using the tags (at the bottom of this page). Even if you haven’t decided on anything yet, there’s plenty to enjoy. Have a wonderful trip.

The most detailed Japanese traditional mask

Area

Area

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