Wall Art Canvas Original

JewelsTheArtist
Acrylic on Canvas
16x20

Kagura, Japanese for 'God Entertainment' is a specific type of Shinto ritual ceremonial dance which primarily influences the Noh Theatre. The mask in my painting is a Hannya mask, often worn in Japanese Theatre to depict a woman who has become so overwhelmed with sorrow, envy, or rage that she takes on the form of a demon, dragon or serpent.
 The mask itself represents female rage and pain and is demonic, angry, frightening, and dangerous while at the same time tormented, heartbroken, melancholic, and sorrowful. Depending on the angle the physical mask is being held, the expression will seem either angry or sad. Overall, the idea behind the Hannya mask is to represent the intense emotions that can be brought to the surface when an otherwise calm and wise woman is betrayed or scorned.