Traditional Japanese Hannya Mask

He’s big and he’s scary looking, but never judge a mask by it’s leering mouth. Traditionally Hannya masks were used in many “noh”(Japanese Plays) to represent the souls of women who have become demons due to obsession and jealousy. These “demons” can be demonic and dangerous, but they are truly tormented and full of sorrow. They’ve also been depicted as being serpent like, so here in this tattoo I’ve incorporated a snake wrapping itself around the mask.
Traditional Japanese creatures; the dragon, tiger, the kitsune (fox), Hannya Masks, snakes, foo dogs, food myoos, plus many many more are what I’m about and what I’ve loved tattooing and had the pleasure of delving a bit into their legends.