This is a wooden carving of a Hannya mask. The age and artist are unknown. I received this as a gift, so I don't know the details. ● Characteristics of the Hannya Mask The upper half has a sorrowful expression with furrowed brows, while the lower half has a wide-open mouth expressing intense anger. This kind of design expresses the duality of a female demon's heart, holding both anger and sorrow. The Hannya is a mask of a female demon, and two long horns grow from the forehead. The hair is parted on the top of the head, but in the case of the Hannya, the hair is disheveled to express its ferocity. Artificial eyebrows are drawn on the forehead. Only the pupils of the eyes under the furrowed brows are hollowed out. The mouth is wide open, revealing the upper and lower teeth and two pairs of fangs. It is a mask of a vengeful spirit, a woman who has transformed after raising a woman's jealousy and resentment to the extreme. The Hannya is an amulet, and the scarier the face, the stronger its power to ward off evil. ◎ The Hannya's expression is a mask with a powerful presence due to the unique shadows and expressions of the carved surface.