Why Are NOH Masks So Scary?

Рет қаралды 192,241

Let's ask Shogo | Your Japanese friend in Kyoto

Күн бұрын

Even if you’re not a noh theater trainee like I am, I’m sure you’ve seen noh masks somewhere before. They often show up in many anime and video games as something scary but many of my friends don’t even know about their connections with the traditional stage culture. Noh theater is a mask play, so obviously they are crucial items within the show.
However, if they are simply stage items, why are they all so scary looking? Is NOH all about horror stories and ghosts?
Today, as a noh theater trainee in Kyoto, I will talk about the history of both noh theater and noh masks and explain what the 3 most famous noh masks represent.
Also at the end of the video, I will talk about the 3 reasons why noh masks are created to be so spooky and scary, so I hope you can enjoy this video till the end.
Deepening your understanding towards noh masks will not only be a chance for you to know more about the traditional theater art, but it will also allow you to enjoy anime and video games that they appear in too.
●KZfaq video of my master acting as the main character with ko-omote mask
Kongo School Noh “雪 Yuki/Snow”
• Noh -- "雪 (Yuki/Snow)"...
[Time codes]
0:00 Let's START!
1:54 The History of Noh and Noh Masks
5:13 The Three Major Noh Masks
8:32 Why Noh Masks are Creepy
13:03 Today's Conclusion
▼Who is Shogo? What is this channel about?▼
• Shogo’s Self Introduct...
▼Related videos in this channel▼
-What are the 3 main differences between Noh theatre & Kabuki play? The 600 years of history!
• The 3 Differences Betw...
-The Complex Relationship of Shintoism & Buddhism! The Answer to "Are Japanese Really Non-religious?"
• Why Do Japanese Insist...
-The stories of 5 most famous men who committed seppuku! Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Oda Nobunaga, etc.
• The Stories of 5 Most ...
▼MY DREAM▼
• The "TRUE REASON" why ...
“To make every Japan lovers’ dream come true, by making Japan a more secure, comfortable, and safer place for everyone to visit, study, and live in”
I will be using the profit I gain from this channel at restaurants, hotels, and cultural facilities in Kyoto to introduce them. The more you watch the videos on this channel, Kyoto and Japan will become a more exciting place, and you can support your own and others’ dreams in the future even more.
▼Join our Membership▼
/ @letsaskshogo
●Membership benefits
-Limited behind-the-scene videos
• Members-only videos
-Weekly live stream
-Priority reply to comments
Every single yen we earn from this membership, we will be donating to groups of people who are fighting to solve social problems in Japan, the Japanese schools where foreign students can study, or use it to spread the works of people working with traditional culture in Japan to preserve the arts they are doing.
▼[Sub-channel] “Shogo’s Podcast”▼
/ @shogospodcast
Please subscribe!!
The perfect channel to learn about Japanese culture and history in your spare time, during your walk to school or work, and when you are cooking or doing house chores.
Not only will I be covering the topics in this main channel, but also some topics that you will only be able to enjoy in the sub-channel, like answering questions I receive, and my opinions towards some of the comments.
▼[Listen to the real voices of the Japanese] "Voices from Japan series"▼
• [Shogo] Japanese Tradi...
▼[For YOU traveling to Kyoto] "Kyoto Hidden Gems" series▼
• Playlist
▼Instagram▼
/ lets_ask_shogo
*Please ask me questions through the DM here!（⚠️I do not use e-mail）
▼Shogo’s profile▼
Hello everyone, and thank you for watching my videos!
I’m Shogo, a Kyoto born & Hiroshima raised Japanese, that grew up in Michigan USA for 6 years, and studied Mandarin in Beijing university for a year! I live in Kyoto now, as I train in Iaido(katana), Sado(tea ceremony), and Noh theatre(traditional stage art).
In this channel, you can take a closer look at Japanese traditional culture, tips on traveling to Kyoto, and social problems in Japan. So learners and lovers of Japanese language and culture, be sure to subscribe to enjoy more content!
If you enjoyed this video, please hit the LIKE button, and share with your friends and family! My goal is “to achieve 1,000,000 subscribers by January 2023”, so your help would mean a lot!
♪Music♪
おとわび
otowabi.com/category/material...
♪Sound effects♪
効果音ラボ
soundeffect-lab.info/
♪Pictures♪
かわいいフリー素材屋いらすとや
www.irasutoya.com/
#nohtheater #nohmasks #nohgaku #japanesereligions #japanesegods

Пікірлер: 440

@JosephKerr27 2 жыл бұрын

I agree that portraying multiple emotions is the most fascinating aspect of these masks. When I learned that a simple tilt up or down of the head could change emotions, I immediately appreciated the genius of using forced perspective in such a way. Truly worthy of UNESCO designation!

@TokyoPinkCatGirl 2 жыл бұрын

I feel like another reason for why they look scary is cause of "uncanny valley". You see it a lot when video games try to make hyper realistic models, but just "aren't quite right", such as how they move.

@ChickinSammich 2 жыл бұрын

I thought the same as well!

@games_on_phone89 2 жыл бұрын

that's just what i thought about

@bravomike4734 2 жыл бұрын

Except this isn't an hyper realistic attempt so I don't think it's that. I think its seriously because of the mixture of the expressions in the masks.

@Algorithm_God_Cult 2 жыл бұрын

@@bravomike4734 it's almost that, it works like the Michael Myers mask, it's a human face, but the static expression of the face causes discomfort because it has no reactions, it resembles a human, but it doesn't act like a human

@chloekrueger3003 9 ай бұрын

@@Algorithm_God_Cult meanwhile Jason Voorhees's Mask *Hockey intensiifies*

@mikotagayuna8494 2 жыл бұрын

At this point, it is easier to list aspects of Japanese culture that Shogo is NOT training in. Gotta admire the energy and enthusiasm.

@PeteSaJut6499 2 жыл бұрын

I guess you could say, this was a video with a lot of NOHwledge

@LetsaskShogo 2 жыл бұрын

😎😎😎

@risingstar9903 2 жыл бұрын

We got a pun lad!

@chrismayer3919 Жыл бұрын

HEY! I do the bad puns around here; it’s NOH contest!!!

@mpgguy566 Жыл бұрын

567 likes with the creator replying and 4 replys CRAZY

@Red80008 Жыл бұрын

I NOH, right?

@kamikaze00007 2 жыл бұрын

I remember hearing somewhere that one of these Noh masks actually change expressions from smiling to frowning when you look at it at an angle from either above or below. It's supposed to be a purposely engineered design feature and making a mask that is able to properly accomplish that illusion is what differentiates a master Noh mask craftsman from a novice. Is this true?

@LetsaskShogo 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for leaving a comment! And yes I believe that is true✨

@skye387 2 жыл бұрын

I'd love to actually see that effect :0

@sourround2002 2 жыл бұрын

I took drama courses in highschool where we learned about different theater arts from various cultures. When we learned about Noh, we were taught about how the single mask was used to convey multiple expressions by tilting the mask up or down (I didn't know about left and right) and I thought that was very clever. Using the masks to portray gods and spirits reminds me also of how ancient Greek theater would use masks to portray their gods as well!

@user-kv4yb8ec8i 2 жыл бұрын

OH MY GOD THE LEFT SIDE AND RIGHT SIDE BEING DIFFERENT EMOTIONS BECAUSE OF THE SHAPE OF THE THEATERS IS GENIUS!!!! You get the impression of the right side first, and as they leave, their hidden inner face Wow

@bill6177 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, thank you for this video. These are questions I've had for a long time. Even native Japanese people I've asked really had a hard time explaining this to me.

@secangkir-kopiplaymate1765 2 жыл бұрын

So It's like in every culture of many countries while they are doing something with Mask, they are going into Trance Mode.

@astranova970 2 жыл бұрын

I had the female mask at the front entrance of my house in Japan. It was creepy but I felt kind of 'protected' as she watched the visitors that entered my house.

@Player-re9mo 2 жыл бұрын

Shogo: What does this mask represent? Me: A fat white man Shogo: A beautiful young woman Me: 🤯

@eeeithan6588 2 жыл бұрын

White is more for skin tone not the asian, African, american, europian thing.

@Player-re9mo 2 жыл бұрын

@@eeeithan6588 well, I was referring to the skin color, not the race.

@amosamwig8394 2 жыл бұрын

@@eeeithan6588 We dont say white in europe aswell, we refer to ethnicity

@TimothyLau55 Жыл бұрын

Me: so beautiful 😍

@sevenproxies4255 2 жыл бұрын

As my profile picture might reveal: i'm somewhat fascinated with masks and mask making (the one in the picture is my own creation). I've always liked the hannya mask the most. I especially like the very stylized ones where the facial features have very sharp corners and angles. I'd like to get a hard plastic one someday to work on and adding lights to it.

@jorgegarzon1269 2 жыл бұрын

I watched two noh plays in Japan, and was amazed by the masks and the music. I didn't know about the left-right differences! :)

@sydneymulder9930 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video! I'm in the middle of a project for my Japanese art class and the topic I'm covering is Noh masks, so this is super helpful!

@LetsaskShogo 2 жыл бұрын

I am very happy that you say so😊

@foderator8277 2 жыл бұрын

played Tomb Raider, and they introduced these mask changing expressions simply by tilting it up and down truly a cool way to showcasing it in the game

@risingstar9903 2 жыл бұрын

That kind of trick does also exist

@duVallonFecit 2 жыл бұрын

Really surprising to know that Noh theatre started so late!!!! It reminds the origins of western theatre in archaic Greece (6th-5th centuries BC), when mithological stories were played with masks of the gods. They believed that the spirit of the divinity entered in the body of the masked person (it was called "enthusiamos"). Also the time Noh was a street performance and a funny show resembles the "pantomima" made by ancient Romans. Historians and archaeologists had found lot of evidences that religious/mythological plays with masks were played by shamans since prehistoric times all around the globe. So I really believed Noh was a kind of theatre that came from the origins of Japan history.

@RDAalltheway 2 жыл бұрын

Do you know who’s face this is? Me: Noh

@DarksteelHeart 2 жыл бұрын

I learned about the Noh Hannya mask because of Majima Goro's Yakuza back tattoo. Hannya has a pretty intense story and it's very fitting for Goro-San.

@xaagripha7326 2 жыл бұрын

the poly expression is what creeps people out. the faces of those masks will make one project ones introspective reflection upon it and be over stimulated do to it, the faces of these masks will also boast a void like feeling associated with emotionless predatory behavior. its actually the same reason venetian masks are creepy as well as Micheal Myers mask.

@patrickstewart3446 2 жыл бұрын

There’s a documentary (circa 1979) called “Budo: the Art of Killing” that uses Noh actors to segue between the different weapons. Appropriately, the Ko-Omote mask was used for the naginata. 🙂

@billspooks 2 жыл бұрын

Again, as before, Thank You SO Much...!!! I wanted to know more about these masks after seeing Ghibli Studios, "Spirited Away" in which the "No Face Man" wears this mask. They are SO COOL. You put an enormous amount of work into making such wonderful videos.

@martag029 2 жыл бұрын

What a fascinating video, Shogo! I think the masks of the women are creepier than the demons because they are more lifelike but odd and uncanny.

@easterntrees 2 жыл бұрын

Shogo, thank you for this excellent video. I'm interested in many traditional japanese performing arts, but often western resources discussing them are lacking. I would much rather learn from a japanese person, and you are very skilled at conveying these difficult to explain intangible cultural concepts. would you consider making a video on bunraku? I'm extremely interested in it in particular, and it seems to be the art form on which there is the least amount of information in english. thank you for all your hard work!

@RubykonCubes3668 2 жыл бұрын

That was such a relaxing and interesting video! Tbf, now that i've learned about Hannya's backstory (which i also thought was meant to be a demon or sth like it), i smh feel sympathetic? She seems to be that one tragic character, so looking at the yet still oddly unsettling mask also makes me feel kind of bittersweet.

@robertcontignon 2 жыл бұрын

I completely loved your lesson about the Noh masks ! 😃 This video is perfectly structured and hence very easy to follow. 🙂 You explain things with lots of passion and in a funny way so that I feel very passionate as a spectator. 😄 Thanks to you, I completely understand the history of Noh masks and theater and have a new look on it ! 😊 You are the best teacher for learning about Japanese culture, Shogo san ! 😃

@Ghostshark83 2 жыл бұрын

I've been looking forward to this video topic and you did not disappoint! Thank you so much for the informative video about noh masks! They are creepy masks but knowing their backgrounds, I have a lot of respect for them.

@nero6271 2 жыл бұрын

My obsession with Noh theater started thanks to Tekken 6’s Noh Theater stage. The music, the visuals. It genuinely made fall in love with this aspect of Japanese culture.

@Midnight_BRAZIL 2 жыл бұрын

You have no idea how much I love your videos, thank you!

@ariloiola 2 жыл бұрын

I got lost along the random KZfaq videos highway but I'm glad I found this channel. Excellent content and presentation. Keep up the good work, mate.

@paulsimonik9103 2 жыл бұрын

Outstanding video. Certainly enjoy learning more about Noh theater as I build my collection of Japanese Noh and Festival masks. Cheers, and keep up the amazing work :D

@baditude41 2 жыл бұрын

Shogo, thank you so very much for explaining this, as I've always wondered what these masks represented. Thank you for helping me understand more about them, and Noh Theater!

@jy3523 2 жыл бұрын

This video caught my eye as I realised I had seen these Noh Masks in a museum I recently visited. I did not have a lot of knowledge on Noh Theatre beforehand so this video was really interesting and informative! Thank you for shedding a light on this form of art, I now feel honoured to have seen these masks up close! ⭐️

@ajayredonkulus6628 2 жыл бұрын

I see a lot of parallels between this and Graeco-Roman mask use in theatre. Fascinating to see the history behind these. Absolutely love this channel!

@marenkuether-ulberg3311 Ай бұрын

Thank you very much for this concise lesson! It feels quite familiar to me because I spent ten years or so doing classical Greek theatre where we often wore masks to portray gods and spirits as well. Putting on and wearing masks was one step deeper into your character and was called “inhabiting the mask” and stepping back from the self. Noh theature is fascinating to me like that. Quite the art.

@jacquehohenheim7934 2 жыл бұрын

This was a very interesting video! I especially like the Hannya mask, and even mentioned one of my OCs that I made months ago (a Futakuchi-Onna Shamisen player) wearing one during her performances when I was writing her backstory

@WaveLissy 2 жыл бұрын

When I remember this right... there was an episode of Inu Yasha whith a cursed Noh mask.... it scared me so much, when I was younger And thank you for this amazing video! This topic is so interesting! Have a nice day 😊

@Momo-tc7sc 2 жыл бұрын

Just found your channel and I am really enjoying it! Japan is a People with such a rich heritage and history! Thank you for making this accessible to me and others who want to know more so we can properly appreciate your culture!

@marcelapontes7033 Жыл бұрын

Loved to learn all this! Thank you!

@hackieagoncillo1577 2 жыл бұрын

I really like how you calmly speak on these vlogs of yours. You are also always looking handsome every now and then. Keep it up!

@Vykkkk 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video! I've always been fascinated with masks and the traditional Japanese ones might be my favorites. If you have the time, I'd love if you could deep dive into that subject, specially with your background!

@moonflow5133 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! Covering parts of the face and seeing different expressions was so cool. I'd love to see a Noh performance when I next go to Japan!

@_prof.paradox_ 2 жыл бұрын

I love these videos. they are complete research material providing the best filtered information. favourite KZfaq channel

@MackerelCat Жыл бұрын

Fascinating. Im in Japan now and planning to see some Noh in the next week or two! This background helps with context!

@TekkenTagokOCiD 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video (as well)! Since I live in Japan I try to understand a lot of things and it’s help very much.

@georgepitts1057 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for making easy the process of learning about the culture and history of Japan .

@okami433 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video Shogo, love this topic! Want to see more videos about Noh masks; also...maybe it'll be good to have one video for each one. Greetings from Argentina!

@LetsaskShogo 2 жыл бұрын

I actually have plans to interview my Noh instructor, and there is a craftsmen who make the masks in Kyoto where I live, so I would love to visit her someday too!

@amb4367 2 жыл бұрын

Very Interesting Topic and Video! Thank You! I Enjoyed it a lot!

@WhiteDragon689 7 ай бұрын

I love your videos. They are so much fun to watch. Thanks

@TheMainManBD 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent content and presentation. I find Japanese mythology very intriguing so I would love to see videos about them on this channel.

@AmyraCarter 2 жыл бұрын

Ko' Omote: *Existential Dread* combined with *Hopes and Dreams* (I definitely dropped a reference here). Hannya: *Terminal Exhaustion* combined with *Sorrowful Angst* Hakushiki' Jo: *Peaceful* combined with *A Little Tipsy* I can see why these masks would incite fear. For me, watching a Noh Theatre performance would likely put me in a trance because of how fascinating and enchanting I find the masks. It's different vibes for me, but I'd enjoy it. Absolutely.

@dsgdsg9764 2 жыл бұрын

So very comprehensive and informative thank you

@theofilos4202 2 жыл бұрын

Well, it all reminded me of a seminar class on Japanese art I had been attending since many years ago. Very nicely presented and explained.

@tofuschnitzel96 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your video. I never thought. that these masks are so more complex than "oh its scary-looking". You clarified it up a lot. Greetings from germany!

@darrenzebrowski9842 2 жыл бұрын

Remember when Zuko from avatar wore a mask, that was badass.

@JMRM4 2 жыл бұрын

6:42 What the? Ok I'll share my opinion about that mask. They say it is a scary oni or yokai but from my perspective before I've learned the origin story, I've felt sorry/pity of it because of it's expression. I was like "why is everyone scared of this sad/almost crying oni?" Heck, if you put a teardrop below its eyes then the sadness would be clear.

@thecatthatateaflyinduoling2513 2 жыл бұрын

Earned my sub. Amazing video, and great to Noh 😁

@ashorasdeanna Жыл бұрын

This channel is just amazing. Hello from Brazil.

@GenOceanWolf_tWo_TookieTaliban 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for everything you do

@topgatta 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful, I learned a lot. Thank you.

@CMCustom112 Жыл бұрын

Awesome explanations. I love Art history

@incogniftoar3943 2 жыл бұрын

You've probably have heard or read this too much but I'll gotta say your English is so good!

@juanpablogonzalez8528 Жыл бұрын

i just wanted to take a moment to appreciate the mastery that goes into the crafting of the masks, just the description of all they need to portray and the importance they have sounds daunting already

@CineShinya Жыл бұрын

I was touched to see this video, as 12 years ago it was my thesis subject in first year in university. Back then it was so difficult to find any information about the subject and there was nothing written about it in my language. Even so, with hard work and a lot of translation, I managed to complete and ace it. And I had the honour to have Japanese Embassy of my country taking my thesis (which was about 140 book pages) in their Educational Department.

@pugman99 Жыл бұрын

Shogo, I had the great privilege of seeing a Noh performance in 1980, when I was at N.I.D.A. in Sydney. We studied mask use in performance in many cultures, for instance, Commedia dell'arte is another famous theatre style using masks. Enjoyed your mini lecture very much, thank you. j

@MidokuTensei Жыл бұрын

the goal of 1 million by 2023, you guys utterly shattered it

@V1C10US 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! I have a hand-carved Hannya mask carved over 100 years ago in the 1900s!

@fabio.n4458 2 жыл бұрын

great insight! thank you very much!

@Lazh-_- 11 ай бұрын

I found this so fascinating! I am especially a fan of the hannya mask, it creeped me out as a kid.

@lk8856 2 жыл бұрын

So good. Thank you!

@nikthev Жыл бұрын

awesome video. Thank you so much!!

@emanueladu9510 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this interesting video!

@alecintrench 2 жыл бұрын

I'm going to definitely have to show my fiancé this video. I was trying to explain the reasoning behind Hannya mask symbolism the other day, and I think the way I explained it confused her, but this was perfect. Thank you!

@l0stndamned 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting video, I hadn't noticed the multiple emotions thing before. I think part of the scary may also come from the uncanny valley affect for some folks. I've met a few folks creeped out by masks in general.

@art3mis196 2 жыл бұрын

My favorite mask is Hannya, i love its story and how it looks like. Thank you very much for another interesting video, Shogo :)

@midtwnscott 2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting video. I confess I'm a bit ignorant about Noh theater; the only play I know is Tsuchigumo so I'm quiet ignorant and loving learning about this.

@Huntertainment1 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your excellent lesson.

@lucianasser 2 жыл бұрын

What a fantastic video!

@Vicieron Жыл бұрын

The other masks i am not familiar with. Only Hannya's mask I am. its crazy how much cool insight you gave with this. Im a stickler with doing design work right. I thought, just like with everyone else, that the Hannya Mask was just the face of an Oni or demon. Now i have some new insight as to what i can do next to make it more accurate! Thanks Shogo~!

@1337million 2 жыл бұрын

I wrote a paper once for university about Noh and Kyogen when I studied theatre and I absolutely fell in love with the masks and all the characters and emotions they represent. My personal favorite is the Usobuki mask from Kyogen. It is always surprised or scared, but it can't talk. It can only express itself by whistling!

@therebel9094 2 жыл бұрын

The arrangements of the three open green fans on the wall of the Kenbu centre you visited reminded me of the tree on a Nō stage.

@ronlussier8570 2 жыл бұрын

Great video!

@brendapaws7933 2 жыл бұрын

The first time I've seen a noh mask was in Inuyasha. This video is that second time I've seen them. I really like your videos.

@leavonfletcher4197 2 жыл бұрын

Very good video. Very informative. These masks play a prominent part in the anime Demon Slayer so it was great to learn about them. Could you do a video on traditional Japanese musical instruments? The anime Scissor 7 has an awesome intro that highlights a guitar like instrument and I would love more information on it. Thank you and keep up the great work.

@lizawinslow4773 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Shogo. Very informative! Can you do a segment with the Indigenous peoples(tribes) of Nippon? Thanks

@rainyu223 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! My Music Class is on this topic right now. Which I little have known knowledge about.

@zezimarules1 2 жыл бұрын

Love the video 😻

@wilomica 2 жыл бұрын

Whenever I Hannya in anime or games I am sure something scary is going to happen! I love that.

@putuseptiawan4209 2 жыл бұрын

I learn something new today, thank you.

@mahsarahimi7457 Жыл бұрын

thankss i needed this for my class

@dmweibel7423 Жыл бұрын

I believe that I saw a famous Noh stage at the Nishi Hangwanji Ha temple in Kyoto. Very beautiful

@Muazen 2 жыл бұрын

Wow Shogo, you really know masks. I'll be here all night.

@Bobbias 2 жыл бұрын

I had heard of お歯黒 but never heard that explanation before. Very interesting.

@pete8993 2 жыл бұрын

I actually learned about the Hannya mask from the game identity v where the "hunter" named "Geisha" (Also called Michiko by her own name) has three forms and one of them is Prajna which is another way to call the hannya mask

@LuxNova3 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! Just two nitpicks for the video script if you don't mind: 2:57 - It would be less confusing if you write the name of 観阿弥 as "Kan'ami" 7:33 - Should be "whose face"

@EddyTeetree 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Shogo-san. Thanks for this. I’ve been to see Japanese theatre in Tokyo. Sumo too. And may even have seen you when we watched the kenjutsu show in Kyoto. In Noh the actions of the characters seem to explain the mask. Ancient Greek theatre (Dionysus) also used masks I believe to hide the actors intentions so that the audience had to work out the meaning and direction of the story themselves? What always intrigues me mask wise are those always worn by human spirit characters in anime. Usually like a sheet covering the face with a Chinese character applied. Very mysterious. Be Well 🌞 By the way I watched Rashomon (1950 Kurosawa) last night and Harakiri(1962 Kobayashi) I think Tetsuya Nakadai may be my favourite actor! (It was Jack Nicolson 😅) What really great films. Rashomon is an intriguing film about honesty and human frailty. I’m want to find an English translation of the original story. Anyone reading this please watch these two films. They are downloadable or available from Criterion. If you like good movies I don’t think you will be disappointed 😁