Namanari

This mask portrays an apparition of a living woman filled with anger and grudge after being deserted by her husband. It skilfully describes the state of the woman overflowing with emotion. It has small horns on the head and widely cloven mouth, and may be considered as a preliminary stage of becoming a demon, which is depicted by hannya. The gold pigment in the eyes and on the teeth distinguishes the inhuman being from the extraordinary world. On the other hand, it has pencilled eyebrows on the forehead, which remind us of a female human being. The mask has a fierce but somewhat pitiful look.