Hannya-bō

Hannya-bō was a monk and artist active during the Bunmei era (1469-1487). He is traditionally credited as a 15th-century or 16th-century designer of the iconic Noh theater Hannya mask, which represents a woman transformed into a demon by jealousy, rage, and sorrow. The mask is characterized by sharp horns, metallic eyes, and a, sharp, grimacing smile. When looking straight, the mask appears angry, but when tilted downward, it appears deeply sad. Despite their frightening appearance, Hannya masks are used in tattoos to ward off evil and represent the complexities of human emotion.