Asian Masques

28 Sep 2005 Category: Events & Exhibitions, Japan

If you hear the phrase “designing a face,” what do you think of? The first thing that comes to your mind might be plastic surgery. Or perhaps you imagine a pro-wrestler’s mask? You could even say that putting on make-up is designing a face, too. Since creating humanoid robots is a growing industry, designing a robot’s face could be new niche in near future. It is vital for even robots to be “more human”.

Thinking about the history of “designing faces”, you cannot overlook masks. Masks have a rather long history in many culture. People used them for special occasions such as gatherings, stages, ritual rites etc. Especially in many Asian cultures, “masque(mask drama)” have been around　for a long time, and the art has been treasured and preserved for posterity.

The opening perfomance for International Performing Arts Festival 2005 (IPAF), “The Changing Gods-Asian Masques-” took place at National Theater of Japan, on September 15th. You could enjoy 3 mask dramas from 3 countries - Japan’s Shimokita no Nohmai, Korea’s Hahoe Mask Dance Drama and Butan’s Nyimalung Tshechu. Each masque has distinctive personality, and you could experience difference from culture to culture without visiting another country.

Japan: Shimokita no Nohmai
Noh mai(Noh dancing) of Shimokita(county’s name in north part of Japan, Aomori) was like a casual version of Noh. Starting off with prayer to God, Shishi mai (Lion dancing) with a Lion mask was performed on the stage. All the images were familiar to Japanese people. Since the perfomance were supposed to dedicated to the God, it had been stylized perfectly, and it was not exactly entertaining nor humane. Japanese people tend to love stylizing various things, and this tendency is seen in mask dramas, too.

Korea: Hahoe Mask Dance Drama
Korean masks were somewhat rough in appearance, however, they revealed the true nature of human beings. There were so many interesting facial expressions! The characters like a loan shark,　a boozer, an egghead, a pitiful old lady, a sleazy monk, a whore, the discriminated, and the poor were expressed using masks. And you would often think to yourself, “hey, I know someone like that!” or sometimes you were shown something you didn’t want to see, like, “well, I might have that side….” Korean mask drama could crack you up a lot because of its clever satire. Moreover, each character was not depicted as miserable person, but an energetic person who never learns! That made the Korean mask drama great as a comedy.

Butan: Nyimalung Tshechu
Butan’s masque just knocked me out because of its vivid and beautiful colors! Nyimalung Tshechu is a small monastery with dry land surrounded by alps. Masks, costumes, and hanging curtains with Buddhist drawing were all decorated with vibrant colors such as vermilion, cerulean blue, chrome yellow, silver and gold. That was breathtaking. I was very inspired by all the colors like I am with contemporary art. Of course the show involved masques of sanctity, however, it was far from solemn. It was more like punk band’s show with masked performers jumping around here and there. It was very rich, free and a beautiful display of the Buddhist festivities of Butan!

Oops, I was going to write more about figurative arts about each mask. As in IPAF’s theme, “Cultural Exchange with Our Asia Neighbors,” I focused on cultural side, more….

Anyway, I highly recommend going to see masques from various country. You can experience not only cultural difference, but also natural and fortunate union of everyday life and art.

Written by YO-CO
Translated by Kyoko

National Theater of Japan, completed in 1966. The building style was taken form classic architecture in Nara Period.
National Theater of Japan, completed in 1966. The building style was taken form classic architecture in Nara Period.
All kind of traditional performances take place in this theater, such as Noh and Bunraku.
All kind of traditional performances take place in this theater, such as Noh and Bunraku.

Before the show. A mysterious atmosphere preveils on the stage.
Before the show. A mysterious atmosphere preveils on the stage.
Japan: Shimokita no Nohmai(Noh dancing). Shishimai(Lion dancing) for the invocation.
Japan: Shimokita no Nohmai(Noh dancing). Shishimai(Lion dancing) for the invocation.

Female turns into monstrous snake because of her obsession. This story is the adaptation of famous Noh play.
Female turns into monstrous snake because of her obsession. This story is the adaptation of famous Noh play.
Korea: Hahaoe Mask dance Drama. Facetious　young woman, Bune
Korea: Hahaoe Mask dance Drama. Facetious　young woman, Bune

simple and humorous mask
simple and humorous mask
Buthan: Nyimalung Tsechu
Buthan: Nyimalung Tsechu

Buddhist painting was drawed on the hanging curtain. Very vivid painting is so attractive and very much comparable to modern contemporary art.
Buddhist painting was drawed on the hanging curtain. Very vivid painting is so attractive and very much comparable to modern contemporary art.
Tying a heavy mask to upper part of the mouse enables actors to jump around.
Tying a heavy mask to upper part of the mouse enables actors to jump around.

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