Hannya reference by TossAmey

HANNYA Reference

by Matthew Amey

Copyright 2011 Matthew Amey All rights reserved. This book is for reference purposes only and should be used as inspiration for your own artistic endeavors. Please do not copy these drawings line-for-line. Many artists will have this book so show some originality and imagination by creating your own image based on these differing angles of a hannya mask.

Special thanks to Bill Smith from www.kingpintattoosupply.com I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have published this book without your help!

THE GHOST WORLD OF HANNYA Once again, the illustrious and enigmatic Matthew Amey brings you a must have tattoo reference book of the dark, sublime, and very complex hannya mask. Like so many things in Japanese and Asian cultures, the hannya is mysterious and conflicting in its meaning. Typically in Japanese Noh Theater, the hannya represents a jealous female demon; dangerous and demonic and yet sometimes sorrowful and tormented. The hannya is forever representing the dichotomy of human emotions. For example, in the Tale of Genji, the emperor’s son, his wife, Aoi, falls possessed with sickness. A priest is summoned, and while he is offering prayers and incantations for Aoi, the Rokujo lady (the spirit of Genji’s old girlfriend) manifests and becomes jealous of Genji’s affection for Aoi. The priest then wages a spiritual battle with the Rokujo lady and vanquishes the demon ghost. The Rokujo lady never removes the mask of hannya even throughout her transformation from jealous rage into enlightenment. Thus, revealing that madness and sanity, suffering and salvation are one in the same. The word hannya is commonly associated with madness but within Buddhism it represents attaining the wisdom of enlightenment. In fact, the first artist believed to carve the mask of hannya, was a Buddhist priest named Hannya-bo during the late 15th and early 16th century. The oldest known carving of the mask is 1558. Hannya’s meaning is also influenced by the color. The white hannya represents a noble woman with jealous rage. A red hannya expresses extremely strong anger. The black hannya illustrates a poor and world-weary woman. Even hannya with different flesh tones represent women of certain social rank. A lighter complexion indicates aristocratic status. A lighter top and red on bottom represents a woman of lower class and completely red is a true demon bitch!. LOL we all know a few. In present day Japan you may find the mask of hannya hung high within a room or above an entrance to keep demons at bay with its frightful glare. Nonetheless, the mask of hannya is just down out right badass!! Because of its demon qualities and crazy expression. This is what attracts many of us to it. It’s as timeless as skulls and daggers and as classic as hearts and roses. Simply tough as fuck! So enough jibber jabber, get to the images and make something. Whatever it might be. Even if it is too make yourself look cool. It’s better than nothing at all.... DANCE WITH THE DEVIL, Jay Cooper

Matthew Amey

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