Hyottoko - [Noh masks]

'Hyottoko' - 火男 - "Mask of Iron Flames" - [Noh Masks]

• About this mask: "Hyottoko" or "Fire Man" is usually portrayed in comical kyogen dances as a comedic relief along side Otafuku as part of a kyogen dance duo - [a short comedic break in an otherwise serious play.] - Hyottoko dances clumsily with big steps & waves his hands about like a bit of a fool. - He wears a spotted bandana over his head and commonly his masks have an odd expression with mismatched eyes and silly parsed lips, skewed to one side, it looks a bit like hes whistling – But! – This supposedly represents blowing through a bamboo pipe to start a hearth fire!!

In some places: hyottoko is considered a god of fire, steel, industry & the fortunes behind those things: so his masks are also worn in dances dedicated to those topics and its been said that to bring good fortune, this mask would often be hung above the fireplace or in the kitchen.

Some legends say that as a child, Hyottoko could pull gold nuggets out of his belly button! - These days, this mask is much more commonly worn for laughs at festivals. - In southern Miyazaki prefecture it's largely featured part of the "Hyuga hottoko summer Festival" where over 2000 masks are worn and danced with in a yearly celebration - since 1984!

• See also: Otafuku, Lucky gods.