Introduction ~about this sight

What does this sight show you?

Hello and welcome to this site. Japan is actually a paradise for masked characters.
Maybe you’re feeling a little taken aback by being told this right off the bat. 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 demons or dancing yokai.

Japan’s Traditional Masked Characters: A Number That Astonishes the World

　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.
In Japan, there are characters that embody all of these traits combined. You can only see them for a limited time. That’s what “Matsuri” (festivals) are all about. So, just how many of these festivals (and other events) are there? Actually, the exact number is unknown, but some say there are roughly 30,000. While masked characters don’t appear at all of them, you can probably imagine that they’re a common sight.

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.

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). Next, 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 introduce 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, it is the point that the Japanese have perhaps always enjoyed making doll-like objects, and that they possessed (or perhaps honed?) the manual dexterity required for this. 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) . Furthermore, Buddhism came into Japan. Unlike Shinto, Buddhism required the worship of idols in the form of Buddhist statues. Within the realm of painting, as art became more widespread among the general public, subjects such as demons and monsters began to be depicted with increasing popularity.

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

　 Recently, popular “Yurukyara”(‘Yurui’ = a gentle, laid-back character) 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.
Many artists, including Picasso, have admitted to being greatly influenced by African masks and dolls. The next treasure trove of inspiration may well be found in Japanese masks.
　Shall we go into the YOKAI NO SHIMA”(island of YOKAI) ?
　Please look forward to it !

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.

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