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!

Best Bookstore Ever!

Sorry I didn't post anything yesterday, something came up. What came up was a Peter Cushing marathon that I couldn't pass up. Though I'd seen the first two movies before, the next few were new to me.

 

Brides and the Skull were fun, Island of Terror I had seen before, but Blood Beast, Fear and Express were all new to me. I think the above 8 movies justifies a leisurely day off from blogging.

My wedding in Kitakami was done at noon on Saturday. (I snuck in a cheeky photo op.) 

It was nearby so that gave me some time to head to American World, which I usually bypass. I'm very glad I went. The bookstore there was all decked out in decorations.

 

 

It even had a hunt for spooky stamps. The Stamp Rally book was a grim one.

 

I wandered through the store, looking for displays and found them all but one. (I erred on the BATS one and had to look again.) Here are some spooky book stands.

 

The first Stamp location.

On the second floor in the video section, a rather touching tribute (and cash grab.)

Hang on, there are THREE Annabelle movies!?!

The staff dressed up, this one from Porco Rosso graciously stopped for a selfie. (Good thing I had an emergency horror mask available.)

 

 

I took my completed Stamp Rally book and scored a treat from another staff member.

 

 

My Completed rally book.

 

The neighbouring building was also full of decorations, as you walk in, one can receive a temporary tattoo but sorry, not for 800 yen.

 

 

The lobby:

 

 

Uh oh...

 

I did not order this for lunch. Rather, I ordered this:

A Halloween pasta.

Some cool decor for a Western bar.

All in all, a nice little way to kill an hour or so.

I went to another joint in Kitakami, but I'll save that for a later post. LOTS went on there.

Here's your Oni fix for the day, あっぽっしゃ Apposha!  A lovely lass, 

 

I found a couple of other images.

 

A cutie!

Hey, helloween horror has some nifty pics. Check it out. I have a much longer post to do and now that I'm done school for the week (almost), I have some time to do it tomorrow.