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There
are many different kinds of Korean masks. Masks are used for ceremonies,
plays and drama. Korean masks are specific to occasion and region.
Here are the different kinds of masks.
Yangban
Yangban is used in the Hahoe Mask Play, a traditional play in
Hahoe Village in Gyeongsangbuk Province. Designated National Treasure
121 in 1964, the Hahoe masks are preserved in the National Museum
in Seoul. The chin moves down creating a big, open laughing mouth.
Nun
Kkumjoggi
Nun Kkumjoggi wards off evil from local government offices on
the Lunar New Year¡¯s Eve. The oval protruding large eyebrows and
the oval lumps protruding on each side of the face characterize
the mask.
Saja
(Lion)
Bukcheong Lion Mask Play is used in a traditional play in Bukcheong,
North Korea. The players who came to South Korea revived it. This
mask play was performed on the 15th day of the first lunar month
of the year. The crimson mask has wrinkles on the forehead, the
eyes were expressed with silver foil and colorful threads represented
the hair and whiskers.
Chwibari
(The Drunken Mask)
Chwibari is used in the Songpa Sandae Mask Play, traditional in
the Songpa area (now part of Seoul). It was performed during festive
holidays and occasions. This gourd mask has two lumps, one on
each cheek, and the eyes and eyebrows are slanted downward.
Yeongno
Yeongno is used in the Suyeong Yaryu Mask Play, which is a traditional
play in the area of Suyeong (now a part of Busan). Protrusions,
red-rimmed eyes and mouth, and hair protruding from the forehead
characterize this dark brown mask.
Yeonggam
Yeonggam is used in the Pongsan Mask Play, performed to celebrate
the arrivals of newly appointed local magistrates and to welcome
Chinese envoys. Together with Gangryong Mask Play, it was one
of the best-known mask plays in the northwestern region. This
paper mask is painted red and has three lumps, one on each side
and one under the chin.
Hongbaek
Yangban (Red and White Faced Literati)
Hongbaek Yangban is used in the Tongyong Ogwandoe Mask Play, native
to Tongyang City in Gyeongsannam Province. The gourd mask is painted
red and white.
Mundong-I
(The Leper)
Mundong-I is used in the DongraeYaryu Mask Plays. The Mundong-I
Mask is a beige gourd mask with a distorted mouth surrounded by
wrinkles.
Chagun
Yangban
Changun Yangban is used in the Kasan Ogwangdae Mask Plays in the
Gyeongsangnam province area. The eyes, ears, mouth, whiskers and
headgear are painted on in black. This mask is made of paper.
Cheoyong
Dance Mask
The Cheoyong dance was the main ritual dance of the royal court.
This dance's purpose was to ward off evil. During the Koryeo Kingdom,
high-ranking officials and even kings performed this dancing ritual.
Foreign envoys also performed this dance. Unique features of this
mask include the peace branches in the headdress.
Two
Yangban masks during a performance
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