Buaku – [Noh Mask]

Description

 Buaku（武悪 (ぶあく) – “comedic demon mask” – [Noh mask]  

• About this mask: A Noh mask with a comedic expression, as though it were holding back laughter, anger, embarrassment or crying (depends which way you tilt it or the how the light hits it (& the story of the play its in) – it has gold-plated magical eyes & clenched teeth suggesting that it is perhaps holding back great power! (supposedly it’s an exaggerated version of the O-beshimi masks typically used for Tengu related performances in Noh theatre, hense the big nose.) – it comes in a few colours (Commonly Red, Black & Blue.) sometimes its eyes appear as if they’re bulging from its head!

‘Aku’ typically means ‘Evil’ so, in Noh theatre; the role this mask is often used for is typically villain/adversary roles; Oni, Demons, Bad guys, etc. (A couple notable ones include ‘Raijin’ the thunder god & ‘King Enma’ the judge of the underworld himself!) — seeing as this is usually a kyogen mask its usually used for humerous skits & break performances. – Rather comically, this mask is also often used for the giant mushroom in “Kusabira.” – a Kyogen skit about a yamabushi monk; who try’s to exterminate mushrooms from his neighbours garden, but he somehow makes things worse! causing the yokai mushrooms to multiply!! – In the end; he accidentally summons a gigantic evil mushroom that chases everyone off of stage!

[Bottom right, Toriyama Sekiens Hyakki Treasure Bokkuro [1784]]

A Buaku mask is also one of five noh masks which appear in Toriyama Sekiens Hyakki Treasure Bokkuro [1784] – (for more on that; see my entry on “Menreiki.”) – The mask featured there has a very exaggerated, wrinkled fore-head; something which ordinary buaku masks typically dont have, making it feel like it’s come to be “alive” – (Note: My art is supposed to remind you of the living mask featured there rather than an ordinary bishemi! see also Menreiki)

see also: O-bishimi, Menereiki