HANNYA TO MOMIJI 般若匕紅葉

The Hannya mask is a traditional Japanese Noh theater mask that represents a female demon. The mask is typically carved from lightweight wood and painted to resemble a scowling face with sharp teeth and bulging eyes. The Hannya is often depicted as a woman who has become jealous or angry, and has transformed into a demon as a result. The mask is used to portray characters in Noh plays that are consumed by these negative emotions. The intricate design and haunting expression of the Hannya mask has made it a popular symbol of Japanese culture, and it is often seen in art, jewelry, and tattoos.

As a tattooer I have always been intrigued by the design of the Hannya mask, which is also why I personally wear one as a full backpiece in combination with leaves of the Japanese maple tree (momiji).

It has always been one of my favourite subjects to draw and tattoo.

The artwork was created on an iPad Pro using the Apple Pencil and Procreate app, utilising various techniques to imitate the look and feel of watercolour on paper.