Masquerade

Okame, sometimes called Otafuku, is a beloved folk deity. Associated with fertility, this plump, good-natured character has a simple earthy beauty and is believed to embody the qualities of an ideal wife.

Okame

Shōwa period (1926-1989)

Papier-mâché and pigments

9”h x 6.75”w

Gift of A.P. Dennis

1991.016.002

Hyottoko, literally “fire-man,” is a popular folk character. His origins are unclear but many legends also associate him with prosperity. He is always perceived as a sort of clown or jester, and is frequently associated with silly dances.

Hyottoko

Shōwa period, ca. 1950s

Papier-mâché and pigments

9”h x 6.5”w

Gift of Jody and Denny Scruggs

2008.008.002

Igarashi Kenji is a well-known papier-mâché doll maker in Saitama, Japan. He is a second-generation doll maker and his son Shunsuke is continuing the traditions of the family studio. This half-mask features the face of a cat (neko), a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Japan.

Cat

By Igarashi Kenji (b. 1943)

Heisei period, ca. early 1990s

Papier-mâché and pigments

4.5”h x 7.75”w

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Hiroshi Tada

1994.021.006

In Japanese culture, the white rabbit (usagi) is associated with the moon. Rather than a ‘man in the moon,’ the Japanese envision a rabbit pounding rice cakes (mochi).

Rabbit

Late Shōwa period, ca. 1980-1983

Papier-mâché and pigments

8.5”h x 42.5”w

Museum Purchase

1983.002.056

The fox, or kitsune, is considered to be a messenger of the gods. This particular mask has a flaming jewel on its forehead associating it with the Shintō deity, Inari (God of Rice), as he is often depicted riding a white fox. This mask has a moveable jaw.

Fox

Late Shōwa period, ca. 1980-1983

Papier-mâché and pigments

8.5”h x 5.375”w

Museum Purchase

1983.002.055

This mask depicts a woman wearing a shishi-gashira, or ‘lion-head’ mask. Shishi, sometimes called lion-dogs, are guardian figures that usually appear in pairs. You can often find one with mouth open on the left and one with mouth closed on the right at entrances to important buildings. The lion dance is also a popular element of New Year celebrations.

Dancer wearing shishi-gashira mask

Late Shōwa period, ca. 1980-1983

Papier-mâché and pigments

8.5”h x 5”w

Museum Purchase

1983.002.057

Tengu are mythical creatures that are said to live deep in the forests and mountains of Japan. They train worthy samurai in the magical arts. They have elements associated with both Shintō and Buddhism.

Tengu

Heisei period, ca. early 1990s

Papier-mâché and pigments

5.125”h x 5.25”w

Gift of Eisha Nakano

1996.030.093

Kappa are mischievous water-dwelling creatures in Japan. Parents often remind children of this creature to scare them into being careful near water.

Kappa baby mask

Heisei period, ca. early 1990s

Papier-mâché and pigments

5”h x 4.75”w

Gift of Shoko Brown

1994.004.005

Okame, or Otafuku, depicted here in a plastic form showing us that she has transitioned from a deity and theatrical character to more of a pop culture figure.

Okame

Late Shōwa period, ca. 1980s

Molded plastic with pigments and elastic string

8.5”h x 7”w

Museum Purchase

1987.010.027

The clown, or jester, originally linked to theatrical performances has shifted to a more common folk character.

Hyottoko

Late Shōwa period, ca. 1980s

Molded plastic with pigments and elastic string

8.5”h x 7”w

Museum Purchase

1987.010.012

Kamen Raidā is a TV series created by manga artist Ishinomori Shotaro in 1971. The main protagonist is a motorcycle-riding human who is part grasshopper (or dragonfly) with super powers. He and two other riders fight the evildoers of Destron to save the world.

Kamen Raidā V3

Late Shōwa period, ca. 1980s

Molded plastic with pigments and elastic string

8”h x 6.5”w

Museum Purchase

1987.010.001

Silver robot

Late Shōwa period, ca. 1980s

Molded plastic with pigments and elastic string

9”h x 7.5”w

Museum Purchase

1987.010.008

Pink robot

Late Shōwa period, ca. 1980s

Molded plastic with pigments and elastic string

8.5”h x 6.75”w

Museum Purchase

1987.010.007

Baikinman (or “Germ-Man”) is the nemesis of the famous Japanese cartoon character, Anpanman (or “Sweet Bean Bread-Man”), who first appeared in a children’s book in 1973. The creator, Takashi Yanase, passed away in 2013 at the age of 94. Baikinman came from the Germ Planet to enslave the people of Earth, but Anpanman is always there to save the day.

Baikinman (Germ-Man)

Late Shōwa period, ca. 1980s

Molded plastic with pigments and elastic string

8.75”h x 7.75”w

Museum Purchase

1987.010.029

Baby with fangs

Late Shōwa period, ca. 1980s

Molded plastic with pigments and elastic string

Museum Purchase

1987.010.023

Little Twin Stars, Lala and Kiki, are a Sanrio franchise that began in 1975. Sanrio is the company that developed Hello Kitty and other characters that are now popular worldwide.

Little Twin Stars

Late Shōwa period, ca. 1980s

Molded plastic with pigments and elastic string

7.5”h x 9”w each

Museum Purchase

1987.010.020 & .021

The Walt Disney characters Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse first came to Japanese movie theaters in 1931. Since that time, there has been a great deal of influence back and forth among animators in Japan and the U.S.

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse

Late Shōwa period, ca. 1980s

Molded plastic with pigments and elastic string

8.5”h x 9.375”w each

Museum Purchase

1987.010.018 & .019

Shigeru Miyamoto created Mario, the most famous Nintendo character, for the hit video game Donkey Kong in 1981.

Mario

Late Shōwa period, ca. 1980s

Molded plastic with pigments and elastic string

8.25”h x 7.75”w

Museum Purchase

1987.010.015

An example of a ‘joke mask’ that makes you appear bald.

Bald head

Late Shōwa period, ca. 1980s

Molded plastic with pigments and elastic string

3.625”h x 7.25”w

Museum Purchase

1987.010.010

This is a hat, but helps to disguise you as a samurai with his topknot.

Topknot

Late Shōwa period, ca. 1980s

Molded plastic with pigments and elastic string

4.5”h x 7”w

Museum Purchase

1994.031.005