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!

Kapp o' Lantern.

Since pumpkins are tough to find in Japan (unless you want to spend 20-50 bucks), I try to find alternate fruit or veggies to carve. I found an Australian Orenji Gold Melon at Costco for about five bucks, so that suits me fine. 

Once you pop the lid off, there is plenty of juicy pulp to be scraped off the rind. (The seeds looked a bit dodgy though.)

 

Not a bad luncheon snack. 
 

The zigzag top, made it look like a Kappa somewhat. I used this as my inspiration. 

I started off simple. Hmm. Looks okay. Still, missing something.

 

Aha, one of my students gave me some basil last week and since I don't know what to do with it, it'll make a fine wig for my Kappa.

That's better. Added some eyebrows
 

 

Ooh, not bad. I'd love to put a bowl atop its head but then I couldn't light the candle.

 

I would have like a more pronounced beak, but what are ya gonna do?

I made a short video that hopefully you can access here. The screechy voice is a kid requesting that the Kappa will provide their village with rainfall. I scammed it from this story.

 

I bought this Gatcha of a pumpkin a while ago.

 

Oh, cool. Crack it open and it folds out into a pumpkin patch!

 

I suppose that was worth the 5$ I paid for it. There are others in the series as well. I wouldn't mind getting the bat, but don't want to chance getting doubles.

Today's Oni is a friend of both Oscar the Grouch and Marjory the Trash Heap. (Be sure to click on any pic to enlarge it.)

 

I'm running out of time this month and I want to get through my Mars Attacks Comics, so here's a sampling.

 

Last night I caught up on some TV and finished off Gen V. What a great season. Bring on the Boys! I also watched the 5th episode of the 3rd season of the Daryl and Carol show. Probably the best episode overall with Spaghetti Western vibes throughout. I'll watch the next two episodes tonight.

I'll leave you with another blogger, Crafters for those who are good with scissors.