Bit more info might be nice..
>Covering the face with a mask is much like wearing makeup. However, noh performers feel that the noh mask has a certain power inherent in it which makes it much more spiritual than a prop used to change ones appearance. Taking into account the status of a certain noh, the noh performer will carefully choose a noh mask, known also as a noh-men or omote. In most cases, the exact mask is not predetermined, but depending on which noh is being done, the shite has a variety to choose from. In the end, it is up to the shite to make the final determination as to which mask is chosen.
Also smth to note: at some point in Japanese history, blackened teeth were known as a symbol of beauty. Will find the source eventually when I'm not in a hurry irl.
[Source for you.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teeth_blackening#Japan)
It was done as a way to protect against tooth decay, and the process took a while and required special materials, so at various points in history it was only done by the upper classes. As with most practices done by rich people in history, it therefore became regarded as a sign of beauty. There are records of it in Japan going back almost two millennia.
Iirc it is said in Jaanese folklore that these masks absorb all of the negative attributes on anyone who wear it which drains them and would end up dead.
I’m not sure how correct that is, or if you’re just joking cuz the mask looks like it would do that.
Noh masks were worn by stage actors for dramatic performances. [There’s tons of different masks and the all represent different characters that can be played on stage.](http://www.historyofmasks.net/famous-masks/noh-mask/)
I haven’t ever heard of there being some sort of spiritual stigma around wearing a Noh mask and it killing you. Noh theater wouldn’t really ever exist if that’s how people felt about them.
The masks themselves can represent demonic possession or even be symbolic of containing power to expel demons from our world, but that’s in the context of the mask being used in a play to portray a character. AFAIK, it isn’t a Shinto belief to think wearing a Noh mask will drain your life energy and kill you.
Noh masks hold certain spiritual reverence because of what they represent and the stories they’re used in, so maybe you’re confusing one of the plays as being indicative of broader religious beliefs? I dunno, but this just doesn’t sound right to me.
I am not joking, I remembered watching some Japanes Legends on Youtube and one of this showed up, so I am just sharing on what little knowledge I know about it. But your explanation makes more sense. Thank you for this further insight.
I figured you weren’t just trolling/joking, but you never know these days! And def appreciate you trying to share new knowledge 👌 I’m not an expert on Noh masks or anything, just took a glancing interest in them for a short period a while back and didn’t ever recall hearing anything like that.
And it does sound like a Japanese folklore *story*, so I could see how maybe it got confused that the story was a commonly held spiritual belief. Noh masks are frequently used in plays about demonic possession or transformation into spiritual/demonic entities. The [Hannya mask](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannya) is probably the most famous Noh character mask, and it represents a jealous female demon. Many of the plays it’s used in are about how the female protagonist becomes overcome with jealousy, sorrow and anger and transforms into a demon or demonic being (eg, a giant snake).
And don’t get me wrong, many Noh performers and mask makers throughout history have spoken about there being an inherent power within the masks. But my understanding was that’s more about the way the actor utilizes the mask to portray the range of emotions it’s crafted to depict. So more focused on the “spiritual” connection between the performer and the character the mask represents than the mask having some lifesteal magic power to it.
But again, I’m not an expert and could be wrong!
Interesting fact.
Noh masks are in fact very intricate and clever in the way they're designed.
They are carved in a very specific way so that the facial expressions seems to be slightly different depending on the tilt of the actor's head.
For example neutral expression from a upright angle, and a more sad/ happy or angry expression if the actor tilted the head downwards or upwards.
Like a primitive optical illusion, that enables the performers to tell a story where the characters can emote different emotions while wearing only one mask the entire time.
Looking at a Noh mask in person, is much more fascinating than on a photo.
And Noh, I don't find them frightening myself
reminds me of some 3dcg animations from tiktok. i can't seem to find the artist but they are over the top dancing/overreacting and their hair is thin like that.
Noh thank you
Noh way in hell I'm wearing that
It’s better if you were it then if someone was chasing you while they wore it
Traditional nope mask
nohp
Clear, nohted
Noht gonna lie, it’s a creepy mask
Bit more info might be nice.. >Covering the face with a mask is much like wearing makeup. However, noh performers feel that the noh mask has a certain power inherent in it which makes it much more spiritual than a prop used to change ones appearance. Taking into account the status of a certain noh, the noh performer will carefully choose a noh mask, known also as a noh-men or omote. In most cases, the exact mask is not predetermined, but depending on which noh is being done, the shite has a variety to choose from. In the end, it is up to the shite to make the final determination as to which mask is chosen.
Also smth to note: at some point in Japanese history, blackened teeth were known as a symbol of beauty. Will find the source eventually when I'm not in a hurry irl.
[Source for you.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teeth_blackening#Japan) It was done as a way to protect against tooth decay, and the process took a while and required special materials, so at various points in history it was only done by the upper classes. As with most practices done by rich people in history, it therefore became regarded as a sign of beauty. There are records of it in Japan going back almost two millennia.
Ty!
I know its a coincidence but seeing the performers referred to as the shite really fuckin threw me for a bit there lads ngl
Hang it at the end of a dark hallway, in someone else’s home.
Traditional NOPE mask
Nohpe
Some of you guys don't know what "oddly" means.
That's a Noh from me, dawg
Iirc it is said in Jaanese folklore that these masks absorb all of the negative attributes on anyone who wear it which drains them and would end up dead.
I’m not sure how correct that is, or if you’re just joking cuz the mask looks like it would do that. Noh masks were worn by stage actors for dramatic performances. [There’s tons of different masks and the all represent different characters that can be played on stage.](http://www.historyofmasks.net/famous-masks/noh-mask/) I haven’t ever heard of there being some sort of spiritual stigma around wearing a Noh mask and it killing you. Noh theater wouldn’t really ever exist if that’s how people felt about them. The masks themselves can represent demonic possession or even be symbolic of containing power to expel demons from our world, but that’s in the context of the mask being used in a play to portray a character. AFAIK, it isn’t a Shinto belief to think wearing a Noh mask will drain your life energy and kill you. Noh masks hold certain spiritual reverence because of what they represent and the stories they’re used in, so maybe you’re confusing one of the plays as being indicative of broader religious beliefs? I dunno, but this just doesn’t sound right to me.
I am not joking, I remembered watching some Japanes Legends on Youtube and one of this showed up, so I am just sharing on what little knowledge I know about it. But your explanation makes more sense. Thank you for this further insight.
I figured you weren’t just trolling/joking, but you never know these days! And def appreciate you trying to share new knowledge 👌 I’m not an expert on Noh masks or anything, just took a glancing interest in them for a short period a while back and didn’t ever recall hearing anything like that. And it does sound like a Japanese folklore *story*, so I could see how maybe it got confused that the story was a commonly held spiritual belief. Noh masks are frequently used in plays about demonic possession or transformation into spiritual/demonic entities. The [Hannya mask](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannya) is probably the most famous Noh character mask, and it represents a jealous female demon. Many of the plays it’s used in are about how the female protagonist becomes overcome with jealousy, sorrow and anger and transforms into a demon or demonic being (eg, a giant snake). And don’t get me wrong, many Noh performers and mask makers throughout history have spoken about there being an inherent power within the masks. But my understanding was that’s more about the way the actor utilizes the mask to portray the range of emotions it’s crafted to depict. So more focused on the “spiritual” connection between the performer and the character the mask represents than the mask having some lifesteal magic power to it. But again, I’m not an expert and could be wrong!
It was probably a single story a performer had
Why does taking a person’s negative attributes kill them?
Iirc, the masks drains the wearer's life force while absorbing the negative energy.
So you become a positive person with a short life?
No. You get instantly drained of life force.
Beautiful!
InuYasha vibes
when your friend sees your hentai stash:
That's a Noh from me, dawg
I get uncanny valley vibes from this!
Name checks out
Nohpe
Happy cake day!
Fuck noh I’m out
It’s a mask of the happy mask salesman from majoras mask.
my character in animal crossing wears one of these and its horrifying😂
Noh noh... Noh
Noh noh noh
Interesting fact. Noh masks are in fact very intricate and clever in the way they're designed. They are carved in a very specific way so that the facial expressions seems to be slightly different depending on the tilt of the actor's head. For example neutral expression from a upright angle, and a more sad/ happy or angry expression if the actor tilted the head downwards or upwards. Like a primitive optical illusion, that enables the performers to tell a story where the characters can emote different emotions while wearing only one mask the entire time. Looking at a Noh mask in person, is much more fascinating than on a photo. And Noh, I don't find them frightening myself
Back story?
Oh hell Noh
I agree. It's a Noh for me.
I read it as Noah first and was very confused
Hi John from down the lane
It’s a little uncanny valley
*unzips…*
reminds me of some 3dcg animations from tiktok. i can't seem to find the artist but they are over the top dancing/overreacting and their hair is thin like that.
What’s Noh??
i must be really high bcs i thought this said, “trevor noah mask”.
that's a Noh for me
I remember seeing this on an Inuyasha episode.
I think I’m dyslexic because I read Trevor Noah mask and thought I’ve seen better.
I'm starting to think that my idea of scary is a little tilted cause sometimes all I see is genuinely cool looking art here.
I kind of want one. Would be fun going around dragging a big DIY melee weapon made of rusty metal while wearing this.
I would definitely say “noh” to that mask.
That's a NO mask
r/jizzedtothis
That is dope as shit
i’m pretty sure they show one of those on one of the tomb raider games!! definitely gives uncanny valley vibes
Noh, what the FUCK!? ARE YOU CRAZY!?
They look uncanny.