* You can buy these gorgeous Korean traditional masks(Hahoe Masks) at here!!

 

 

Scenes of 'Hahoe-Byeolshin' Mask Dance

 

Korea has a long tradition of the mask, and it has been used for various purposes.

When war broke out, soldiers and horses put the mask.

In the burial ceremony, mask has been used to remind the face of the dead and to defeat evil spirits.

In the arts, mask has been used especially for dancing and entertainment.

Nowadays, it is used for tourism product, props and cellphone string.

 

'Hahoe Tal'('Tal' means mask) is the name given after 'Hahoe' village where is located in Korea 'Gyeongsangnam-do', 'Andong' city.

Among the many Korean traditional mask, only 'Hahoe' masks have been designated as national treasures(National Treasure No. 121, including two 'Byeongsan' Mask) and they are our valuable cultural heritage.

In the art field of masks, they are evaluated as worldwide masterpieces.

 

'Hahoe' masks are composed of 12 human masks, nobleman('yangban'), scholar('Seonbi'), monk('Jung'), butcher('Baekjeong'), 'Choraeng-i', grandma('Halmi'), 'Imae', 'Bune', bride('Gaksi'), bachelor('Chong-gak'), 'Tteokdari', 'Byeolchae' mask and two animal shaped masks (male and female 'Juji').

 

However, bachelor, 'Tteokdari', 'Byeolchae' mask has been lost and never come down.

 

Noble man, scholar and butcher mask are made with separated jaws like the human jaw structure with same function.

Because of this, when people talk wearing these masks, it looks more realistic as real people say.

This is a feature not found in other masks.

 

All of the 'Hahoe' masks are made of alder tree and the produced age is assumed in the middle of 'Goryeo' Dynasty.

'Hahoe' masks have been kept in the 'Hahoe' village and were designated as national treasure in 1964.

Currently, they are possessed in National central museum.

 

 

'Halmi' (Grandma)

Head is pointing up and chin is jutting toward.

It means no heavenly blessing and unlucky in latter life.

The roundly protruded eyes can be understood as a strong face of the old woman who has suffered the sweet and the bitter of life.

 

'Choraeng-i'

In the masks play, he is a servant of nobleman ('Yangban') with frivolous face.

It seems to be dissatisfied for him from his crooked and tight lips.

His bludging forehead shows that he is very stubborn and does not agree with lord.

His short nose indicates impatient nature.

In the masks play, the role of this guy is mocking and insulting his lord.

 

Scenes of 'Choraeng-i' and 'Baekjeong(Butcher)'

 

'Jung' (Monk)

On his face, very sly laugh can be seen.

His eyes look like a crescent moon and there are wrinkles under his eyes.

 

Scenes that 'Jung(Monk)' temps 'Bune'

 

'Juji'

 It is a symbol simplified the lion and is adorned with the feather of pheasant.

In the masks play, it takes the charge of stabilizing and protecting the playing ground from the evil ghosts.

Scenes of 'Juji' dance

 

 'Imae'

It has been come down without chin.

 In the masks play, it appears as a foolish servant of the nobleman.

 He has a twisted nose and drooping eyes.

 The drooped eyes mean that he naive.

 And his smiling mouth seems not only little bit stupid but naive.

 

'Yangban' (Nobleman)

This is the most typical mask among the 'Hahoe' masks and is considered as a masterpiece of the mask art.

His face is a mixture of bluff and composure.

Because the jaw is separated and tied up by string, it becomes to smile by bending back and to get angry by bending forward with shut mouth.

 

Dialoge scenes of 'Yangban(Nobleman)' and 'Seonbi(Scholar)'

 

'Seonbi' (Scholar)

He can not be adapted to the vulgar social structure and he shows always disgruntled face.

Also his face shows the dignity of scholar and arrogance simultaneously.

His face is inversley triangled shape and suitable as a face of scholar with smart brain and complex mind.

 

'Bune'

An oval face, half-moon eyebrows, sharpen nose, small lips are regarded as the ideal face of beauty.

She has a light smile on her eyes and small lips. Accoring to phrenology, it means that she is fickle.

Her cheek is flat, and dark colored hair is drawn calmly to both ears.

In the play, she appears as a mistress or courtesan of nobleman/scholar.

 

'Baekjeong' (Butcher)

When lower his head forward, he seems sinister. When tilt his head back, he seems bughouse and insane laugh from the killing.

According to the phrenology, angular face is regarded as sturdy body and crooked forehead is regarded as bad temper and cruel mind.

Scenes that 'Baekjeong(Butcher)' slaughtered a cow 

'Gaksi' (Bride)

In the masks play, she appears as a avatar of tutelary god.

She has calm face, tight lips and lowers her eyes downward.

It shows the feeling of enduring the bitterness in the married life.

 

* You can buy these gorgeous Korean traditional masks(Hahoe Masks) at here!!