Korean Hahoe Mask – Nojang Geom

Hahoetal masks (하회탈/河回탈) are the traditional Korean masks worn in the Hahoe Pyolshin-gut t’al nori ceremony dating back to the 12th century. They represent the stock characters needed to perform the roles in the ritual dance dramas included in the ceremony. The masks originated in the Hahoe Folk Village and Byeongsan Village, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. They are counted among the treasures of South Korea.

The Nojang Mask represents an old, corrupt Buddhist monk in traditional Korean masked dance dramas. “Nojang” translates to an old monk, and the mask portrays a disgraced clergyman who has succumbed to worldly pleasures like alcohol and women.

The dark or black color of the mask symbolizes the monk’s advanced age. Performers use this mask in the Yangju Byeolsandae Nori, a traditional folk mask dance from Gyeonggi Province near Seoul. Through the storyline of the old monk falling for a young woman (Somu), the performance mocks the hypocrisy of the elite and religious classes during the late Joseon Dynasty.

One of a kind piece. Originally from Korea.

Dimensions: 2.5″ x 5″ x 5.5″

Vintage piece. Sell in used, pre-owned condition. Vintage and antique items by nature have variable amounts of wear, imperfections, signs of use, age and time. Perfectly imperfect. Condition shown as in pictures. Kindly contact us if you need more info. or detail pictures.