Inked Mag Staff
August 27th, 2020
30 Demonic Hannya Mask Tattoos
Do you know the story behind hannya masks?
Hannya masks are a typical subject in Japanese tattooing, however, many people may not know what they represent or where they come from. Hannya masks come from Noh, a type of drama and dance theater that originated in 14th century Japan. In this theater, these masks represent a female demon who’s created out of emotions of obsession or jealousy. They’re similar to Buddhism’s Hungry Ghosts and can also represent other emotions, such as sorrow or torment. In Noh, hannya masks come in many different colors, including white for a refined or aristocratic characters, red for unrefined or peasant characters and a deep red for true demons. They’re often depicted as two sharp horns, metallic eyes and a leering mouth with many sharp teeth. Hannya masks have been featured throughout popular culture, primarily in video games set in Japan and in some animes. Today, they’re often seen in tattoos and have been reproduced throughout a variety of styles, however traditional Japanese tattoos are the most common. Take a look at some of our favorite hannya mask tattoos from talented tattoo artists around the world in the gallery below, then let us know your thoughts on this story in the comments section.
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