Tatakai 'Battle'-hettegenser

Created by Buddhist monks, the Hannya mask, first appearing in the Muromachi period (1336-1573). It represents a woman who turns into a demon due to her consuming jealousy and grief. The mask’s fierce features, including sharp horns, bulging eyes, and a distorted mouth, capture the deep emotional struggle and rage of the female character. The Hannya mask’s evocative design has made it an enduring icon in Japanese culture, symbolising the potent and often destructive force of human emotions.