Oni no Hakata!

First time, I went in 2015 and that was notable because the proprietor gave me a lift to the station since buses were so rare. Next time, was in 2016 and I showed off some Peruvian masks and Gegege jigsaw puzzles. In 2017 I showcased some of the quadriptychs (4-part triptychs). Then in 2018, I convinced a friend to drive there. It's so much more fun to make dumb puns to another rather than to oneself. I took a few years off (stupid COVID) and returned in 2022. At that time, there were some cute paper crafts to espy. Since my wedding last Saturday was so early, I had time to return.

This time the feature display was some very cool papier-mâché masks. 

  

I was lucky enough to make it on the second-last day. I was not there for the workshop though. I'll let you try and figure out how to make your own.

 

I wish I could have made a Kappa mask! 

 

Lots of other masks on the walls, good thing they were behind glass, because I'd have tried them all on.

 

 

 

 

 

And couple of dozen Papier-mâché figures.

 

Back in September, artist Hanjiro Sawato made a large Onikenba Koboshi.

Children wrote their wishes on papier-mâché and pasted them on the figure.

 

Sheesh, I wouldn't want to see this spider again!  

Hanjiro Sawato made this Gongen-sama (lion head for the Gongen dance).

 

 

All in all, a nice little display of paper mache (ooh, that spelling is gauche.)

Onto the interior of the museum. If you're new, welcome. If you've seen these posts before (or clicked the above links), be patient. Hopefully there are a few new sights to be seen.

I don't remember seeing this guy above the entrance before.

To enter the main hall, one has to walk through this haunted forest. Presented for you...

 

Skip the first two minutes if you only wish to see floating Oni and cheesy effects.

Scary! Scarier are several long tapestries behind famous Yokai and Oni.

 

Always liked that Kappa!

Some lovely Oni masks.

 

A day without a look at a Krampus mask is a day ill-spent.

One of the kids at the mask-making workshop made a Krampus. Good Job!

 

He writes, "Krampus: Austrian Namahage is a little scary with its big nose and toothless mouth.

This guy's a sweetheart with a delightful chuckle. Click here to watch his chin wag. 

I have a student from Nepal, so I'll ask her if she knows anything about this guy next week.

 

These masks are from Sri Lanka and I have TWO students from there. Surely one of them knows something. 

Lots more to see, such as this Gegege gang.

But you'll just have to check out the place yourself!

I went to my car and WHOA! That Damn spider did track me down!

This was a special ONI entry on the countdown. I'm gonna watch some TV and maybe I'll have another post tonight about my student's Halloween Treat or Trick!