Editing Mask (section)

====Japan====
[[File:天狗の面鉄輪温泉PB060289.jpg|thumb|Mask of [[Tengu]]]]

Japanese masks are part of a very old and highly sophisticated and stylized theatrical tradition. Although the roots are in prehistoric myths and cults, they have developed into refined art forms. The oldest masks are the ''gigaku''. The form no longer exists, and was probably a type of dance presentation. The ''bugaku'' developed from this – a complex dance-drama that used masks with moveable jaws.

The ''nō'' or [[noh]] mask evolved from the gigaku and bugaku and are acted entirely by men. The masks are worn throughout very long performances and are consequently very light. The ''nō'' mask is the supreme achievement of Japanese mask-making. ''Nō'' masks represent gods, men, women, madmen and devils, and each category has many sub-divisions. ''[[Kyōgen]]'' are short farces with their own masks, and accompany the tragic nō plays. [[Kabuki]] is the theatre of modern Japan, rooted in the older forms, but in this form masks are replaced by painted faces.<ref>Lommel (1970), chapter: "Japan".</ref>