Description

Japanese Hannya Mask – Antique White by Edge Sculpture EDM01

The name hannya is a Sino-Japanese word for prajna or wisdom. One tradition states that this name was given to this mask because it was the name of an artist monk Hannya-bō who is said to have perfected its creation. Another explanation is that Perfection of Wisdom sutras and their variations were considered to be particularly effective against female demons. An alternate explanation is that the artist would need a great deal of wisdom in order to create this mask.

The Hannya mask is used in many noh and kyōgen Japanese plays, as well as in Shinto ritual kagura dances. The Hannya mask portrays the souls of women who have become demons due to obsession or jealousy. Plays in which a person may wear the hannya mask include Aoi no Ue and Dōjōji; its use in these two plays, two of the most famous of the Noh repertoire, and its distinctive and frightening appearance make it one of the most recognizable Noh masks.

The Hannya mask is said to be demonic and dangerous but also sorrowful and tormented, displaying the complexity of human emotions. When the actor looks straight ahead, the mask appears frightening and angry; when tilted slightly down, the face of the demon appears to be sorrowful, as though crying. The oldest hannya mask is dated 1558.

Hannya masks appear in various skin tones: a white mask indicates a woman of aristocratic status, a red mask depicts a low-class woman.

Each sculpture has been originally sculpted from clay, which allows the sculptor to be freer, giving the pieces the dynamic and organic fee, stylised by Edge Sculpture. The finished clay sculp ‘masters’ are then taken to be moulded, and each subsequent piece has been carefully hand cast from this mould using ceramic polystone, which allows for faithful reproduction of detail and texture applied to the original sculpt. the finishing touch is the skilful application of hand painting and finishing, which brings the sculpt to life. The end result is a centre piece and talking point in anyone’s living room!

Licensed figurines that Matt has both sculpted personally and directed include the Beano and Dandy, Camberwick Green, Roald Dahl, Bagpuss, 2000 AD, The Magic Roundabout, Mr Benn and Gerry Anderson’s Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and Stingray, with many pieces being continually produced to this date.

Matt remains the Creative Director of Robert Harrop Designs LTD and indeed the skills and ability to manufacture quality figurines from within their family run company in Shropshire has enabled this very new collection of work to become a reality and Edge Sculpture to thrive.

This is a very new collection and very much at the beginning of its creative evolution and Matt indeed looks  forward to designing, sculpting and producing  many new concepts well into the future.