Why is This Face So Creepy?

Let's ask Shogo | Your Japanese friend in Kyoto

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I’m sure you’ve seen this mask often in Japanese horror anime and video games. This is actually a mask called 小面 Ko-omoté, which is originally used in the Japanese ancient stage art: Noh Theater.
With such a scary face, it must represent a horrible monster or something right? But it actually stands for a young and beautiful woman. Yes you heard me correctly. lol
There are three main reasons why this mask looks so scary.
1. They represent gods and spirits
The reason why masks are used in noh theater in the first place, is because “performers want to act as someone/something that they are not.”
2. The aesthetic sense was different from what it is now
Expressionlessness was the standard of beauty for people of high ranks in the past.
3. There are multiple emotions expressed with one face
Every noh mask’s facial expression is created by combining multiple emotions with one face, so it might seem unnatural and somewhat ominous.
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5 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 1 тыс.

@LetsaskShogo 2 года назад

@Boi2yearsago 2 года назад

Interesting I am gonna watch more video on this. Nice vid btw

@lostinmoss4323 2 года назад

Is this a transcription? Thanks thats quite useful

@martialcat653 2 года назад

Shogo, what about the mask wore by samurai? I see lots of it in the movies or video games they only cover their mouths and its got like fangs and moustaches

@troyayoso7066 2 года назад

Hello Mr. Shogo, thank you for explaining those Ko-omotés! Can you do a vid about triangle thingies on japanese ghosts?

@darthvaper4776 2 года назад

Young woman are horrifying makes sense 😂😂😂

@welpyes 2 года назад

Anya Forger be like:

@twitzmixx8374 2 года назад

Heh

@theredhood7342 2 года назад

Heh

@Knee-Lew 2 года назад

Heh.

@kaptenkukang 2 года назад

heh

@hankj.wimbleton1815 2 года назад

Heh

@tegu_enthusiast 2 года назад

Oh, I didn’t know that. Thanks for educating us, as always!

@КристиянТрънбашев-ш6г 2 года назад

This mask reperesents how Japanese people look basically

@rickcardo1966 2 года назад

Bot

@normanmai7865 2 года назад

Heh

@smilerat8070 2 года назад

I never really found the mask creepy, just a bit uncanny valley, an effect that inherently does creep people out. When people see something so close to human but just a bit off, it triggers a natural instinct to be wary because something is not as it should be.

@l_z1478 2 года назад

Bc they shaved her eyebrow...she must be furious, :D

@glasscardproductions4736 2 года назад

@@l_z1478, that was considered beautiful in many different eras and many places, so I wouldn't doubt it's the same for Japan when this was made.

@cosmicsunshines 2 года назад

same here.

@ryand.3858 2 года назад

I’ve heard that phenomenon is also what causes the popular fear of clowns. Personally I find neither scary but I understand the reason why such things give people the creeps.

@extinctsss 2 года назад

That's why youre freaked out by it too. Uncanny valley

@nicogross2697 2 года назад

That face looks like my mom whenever get a C+ in math😂

@monoremu3200 2 года назад

👁👄👁 like this?

@leoncalusic51 2 года назад

@@monoremu3200 Ahhh... What a young and beautiful lady

@feitansumbrella 2 года назад

@@leoncalusic51 should be a model 😇

@SoapiiOSC 2 года назад

@@feitansumbrella she should be a queen

@SomeGuy-gc8zs 2 года назад

This specific Noh mask brings Inuyasha to mind. They had this cursed mask that possessed people and melted their bodies into a homogeneous sludge. That kind of genuine grade-A horror was a real surprise coming from a romantic fantasy isekai series.

@maichidao263 2 года назад

that’s exactly what i thought of too!

@chanmarr8118 2 года назад

Glad I wasn’t the only one that thought of this. That was terrifying

@AshAngelV 2 года назад

Right? That was so unsettling.

@Pickledsnicker 2 года назад

That episode permanently scarred me, I had literal nightmares when I watched it as a kid. I still avoid watching that episode when I rewatched Inuyasha.

@zyborg4737 2 года назад

I skip that episode whenever I rewatch Inuyasha because it makes me so uncomfortable... The fact that it is a filler episode (for the most part) makes it feel more eerie-as if it was detached from the reality of Inuyasha's universe.

@at_Icy 2 года назад

"it represents a young and beautiful... ... performers want to act as something they are not" 💀💀💀💀💀

@Olive-qb1uk 2 года назад

💀💀 NAH

@Tanzo_Adzuki Год назад

Damn, they really need an old and hideous man to play it then?

@rubisbleu923 2 года назад

"Why is this mask so creepy?" Me : the eyebrows, the eyebrows, THE EYEBROOOOOOOOOWS

@zenaidamoreno1824 2 года назад

I remember first seeing this mask on Inuyasha. Thanks for the lesson

@sugarstar6215 2 года назад

Same

@Ericvonmanstein. 2 года назад

Japanese culture never fails to amaze us👌.

@hyun_0_0_0 2 года назад

It’s not that amazing

@kom2876 2 года назад

^ you simply never know about it if you ever travel out there, you always get this new breath of fresh air

@DccAnh 2 года назад

@@hyun_0_0_0 if that was the case, Japan wouldn’t have been famous, but since they are what you said automatically becomes bullsh*t

@ZoRowArk3 2 года назад

"Young and beautiful woman" *Anya Forger steps in*

@okikartika5830 2 года назад

Heh

@ajinkyatarodekar9099 2 года назад

What about Tako facemask?

@roll7642 2 года назад

no wonder damian fell for her it's all in the heh

@captsorghum 2 года назад

"Why is this face so creepy." --On android, the thumbnail has a picture of Shogo

@jamesoliver9278 2 года назад

And opening the video gives you a jumpscare.

@MerkhVision 2 года назад

I don’t think the operating system should change the thumbnails, it looks like that on iOS too

@Gggrizz 2 года назад

I've actually seen a few nō masks in real life, and they were even creepier. Because the light was coming from the top, so that it cast more shadow

@unclesam5474 2 года назад

Something I’ve always been curious about… how did the theatre masks affect the performance of the actors? I feel as though the masks would drastically reduce the ability to project one’s voice… did they have a counter measure to this? Or was the mask designed with this in mind?

@moma-b 2 года назад

I think they didn't speak. There was music and body language.

@nidohime6233 2 года назад

I guess there also practice with their voices, and the structure of the theater might also help to amplify the sound effect, like how greek theaters where designed in a way you can hear the actors on any seat.

@viktoriaschmied6627 2 года назад

Iirc there was a story teller, but the actors themselves didn't speak. It was all about body language and music.

@Blondie42 2 года назад

Even though I knew you were going to talk about something else, I saw the title and you in the thumbnail and was thinking you're face is too cute to be creepy.

@Rena152 2 года назад

I guess it also falls into the uncanny valley

@linkedius2532 2 года назад

thats what i was gonna say yeah

@frmgoogle5176 2 года назад

That look like Anya's heh

@MarcoAdventures 2 года назад

Heh

@Irl_kav3h 2 года назад

Heh

@boatingbrookcosplay7447 2 года назад

Also uncanny valley. It looks human and familiar but it's not quite human looking.

@emberandfriendsanimations2454 2 года назад

Exactly

@ghostratsarah 2 года назад

It's the eyebrows. Draw realistically placed eyebrows on it and it won't be so creepy. It's a proven psychological phenomenon that missing or misplaced eyebrows trigger a fear in people.

@boatingbrookcosplay7447 2 года назад

@@ghostratsarah that's fascinating

@wasawaswasawas4277 2 года назад

"Epressionlessness was a standard beauty" Now, I see why some expressionless female anime character looks attractive

@menhera-tan 2 года назад

Apparently smiling causes wrinkles so there are some people that lives on with a neutral face and doesn't smile or laugh at all to conserve their beauty!

@ina.aaahhh 2 года назад

"Why is this face so creepy" My dumbass: "it has no eyebrows"

@GODOFAWSOMENESS1 2 года назад

Aha I was correct about the mask being a young and beautiful woman!

@killua_thecatboy 2 года назад

I have seen this mask a few times but I don't find it scary, it definitely looks beautiful. I must have seen it in Noh theatres and probably in anime too.

@powerguido4145 2 года назад

Shogo: "It is a young and beautiful woman" Me: So it is a monster

@Soukonoon 2 года назад

True

@dupql 2 года назад

@Irl_kav3h 2 года назад

Thats anya dude xd

@d8sa 2 года назад

**Shows the mask with horns** **KSLV Noh music starts playing**

@fairuzjumain8425 5 месяцев назад

Go to Germany to meet KSLV

@codhcod4949 2 года назад

what kind of mythological creatures appear in noh that uses masks too?

@gloomiette 2 года назад

Oni are a creature that come to mind! Other one however I'm not too sure..

@pup_queen1667 2 года назад

Me when i just watched spy family: "anya? That u?"

@SkitSkat674 2 года назад

I think the first mask shown was beautiful. It looks very old.

@blackpurple9163 2 года назад

I immediately remembered the girl from Asobi Asobase as soon as I saw that mask

@kawaiiLorenz1995 2 года назад

How i look like when camera flash is on facing parallel to my face. My eyebrows, gone. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

@whybhavi 2 года назад

So that's where Anya got her inspiration from.....

@LetsaskShogo 2 года назад

▼Who is Shogo? What is this channel about?▼ ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nhEamHfzyyg.html ▼Related videos in this channel▼ -Why Are NOH Masks So Scary? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0hbf2PnmPuc.html -Why Ghosts of Samurai Often Appear in Noh Theater ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TRPtV4F7CH4.html -The 3 Differences Between Noh Theatre and Kabuki Play ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lp3wWpx04Ro.html ▼MY DREAM▼ ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EgowIV_kagA.html “To make every Japan lovers’ dream come true, by making Japan a more secure, comfortable, and safer place for everyone to visit, study, and live in” I will be using the profit I gain from this channel at restaurants, hotels, and cultural facilities in Kyoto to introduce them. The more you watch the videos on this channel, Kyoto and Japan will become a more exciting place, and you can support your own and others’ dreams in the future even more. ▼Join our Membership▼ ru-vid.com/show-UCn7DCb9ttrcw9h3vh9dfnVwjoin ●Membership benefits -Limited behind-the-scene videos -Weekly Zoom call or live stream -Priority reply to comments ▼[Sub-channel] “Shogo’s Podcast”▼ ru-vid.com/show-UCZAe1VayWxp5NLO4Net78DA Please subscribe!! The perfect channel to learn about Japanese culture and history in your spare time, during your walk to school or work, and when you are cooking or doing house chores. Not only will I be covering the topics in this main channel, but also some topics that you will only be able to enjoy in the sub-channel, like answering questions I receive, and my opinions towards some of the comments. ▼[Listen to the real voices of the Japanese] "Voices from Japan series"▼ ru-vid.com/group/PLpIWoYf9KNFXxLyeQa85jDudDKqkwPg-2 ▼[Places recommended to visit in Kyoto] "Kyoto Hidden Gems" series▼ ru-vid.com/group/PLpIWoYf9KNFU7LIIFB0P_reDt_oMdkCOq ▼Instagram▼ instagram.com/lets_ask_shogo/ *Please ask me questions through the DM here!（⚠️I do not use e-mail）

@BlastedRodent 2 года назад

She may look like a scary monster in isolation, but in comparison to the other noh masks, she’s the prettiest girl in class

@official_liberal_chungus7825 2 года назад

That mask look like my mom so it's not that scary

@koi596 2 года назад

"why is this face so creepy" RU-vid Shorts compression:

@BlazingKhioneus 2 года назад

When you said it was based on a beautiful, young woman, my first thought was to say "nothing scarier than a beautiful, young woman"

@AB-5482 2 года назад

If you're a male that lets itself be controlled by its genitals, sure I guess. Weak 😂

@shadowstorm7548 2 года назад

I finished watching it and when the video replayed (RU-vid shorts), I misheard "creepy" as "creamy".

@RandomSwiftie13 2 года назад

This explains why in anime and mangas one character or more is always emotionless and doesn't speak much.

@nidohime6233 2 года назад

That's has to do more with lack of funding. Since there have a very strict budget there had to be creative inside the art.

@Teriiiyakiii 2 года назад

I found this mask in Animal Crossing recently, I use it to scare friends 🤣🤣

@peterparker3344 2 года назад

so it's the opposite of what it's supposed to represent?🤔

@KennyThaSharp 2 года назад

Now KSLV Noh's aesthetic (and name) make much more sense to me, thank you

@marshallgrek997 2 года назад

Reminds me of the masks in ancient greece. Similar to those, they were often used in theatre during plays.

@warlockpaladin2261 2 года назад

I've thought about this too, and it does make one wonder.

@happyluna420_ 2 года назад

My brain : *"Anya."*

@Jay-eu1zt 2 года назад

I love how Japan is literally the saying "Beauty is just a social construct."

@CatchThesePaws 2 года назад

I actually find the woman masks quite beautiful, and the oni masks very impressive! I have used the technique of multiple expressions on my own masks, it’s surprisingly difficult to get right. In Greek theatre, they also used masks with expressions that changed depending on the angle it was viewed. I had a class two years back that was all about the history of theatre all over the world, I really enjoyed learning about Noh.

@catswellthecat7855 2 года назад

That’s cool about combining two emotions into one. Now that I see it with the monster looking mask, I can’t unsee it

@mercifulchickens 2 года назад

Nah i think for this specific mask it's the fact that her eyebrows are completely misplaced and with the fact that the eyes are kinda closed it makes an expression that shouldn't be possible

@TheSatisfiedPig Год назад

In Eiji Yoshikawa's Musashi, I think he references these to describe Otsu's madness when being abandoned by Musashi. Haven't finished reading it yet, but I get the feeling things don't end well for her.

@sreeja6282 2 года назад

Expressionlessness is a sign of a high class personality? Mommy I'm rich!

@zero40k31 2 года назад

"Whats the matter Glen? You dont look completely emptionless"

@josephd.k4555 2 года назад

Random ancient Japanese dude: *exists* Random Japanese women: 👁👄👁 Random ancient Japanese dude:😩

@redandrit2105 2 года назад

My face expression literally looks like that mask this is me when I'm not doing anything 😑

@cucikuservices 6 месяцев назад

KSLV Noh be like:

@mrs.g.9816 2 года назад

I first saw this mask in a huge college textbook on art, and it did look well crafted and pretty - The face appears serene, but yes, a little creepy, like a ghost. So now I know why it seemed creepy when I first saw it. BTW, I think they used masks in ancient Greek theater, too. Thanks for the info!

@Hikaratashi 2 года назад

"Is scary because of monster thing right?" "Yup" "Hahaha woman *srruuup*"

@regulargoat7259 2 года назад

In animal crossing, i used to buy “Noh masks” and give them to villagers for the memes, and scare my sister with them. It’s awesome to learn its real name.

@jasemalvis2140 2 года назад

Ooooh that's why anime punks always make those FURROWED BROW EXPRESSIONSSSSS

@grovermartin6874 2 года назад

Thanks so much. Your clear explanations capture so many of our conflicting feelings. Your insight is a relief.

@indigofeilds9520 2 года назад

I never actually thought this mask was scary I always thought it to have something interesting attached to it

@vectorperkins6685 2 года назад

i actually always thought it was very pretty 😭 reminds me of those ancient japanese paintings of those elegant graceful women usually dancing or holding a parasol

@mirarose2591 2 года назад

I have a hannya mask as a tattoo. ~ everyone always goes oh that's a nice demon and then I have to explain to them it's used in theatre ^^;

@tinygorillacake 2 года назад

You forgot to mention. As with all masks used for theater throughout history, they are designed from the perspective that you will see it far away as an audience member. Oftentimes, we have bias and think people in history weren't clever, but actually usually these "ugly" masks look beautiful from a distance, while a "beautiful" mask looks ugly. Lastly, if the mask has a smile, then the character is always happy or sinister, and it becomes difficult to portray sadness for example. About perspective, look up the architecture of the Parthenon for instance. The pillars look straight, but actually they have all been placed at angles so appears straight from a distance, very ingenious.

@ginacavener9930 2 года назад

I really like all of your videos. They give me a little window into Japanese life and tradition. Something I'd otherwise never know!! Thank you!!

@human_organ_lover96_gamer Год назад

Fun fact:these masks were later put in music videos called "phonk"

@PurplePiiPii Год назад

kslv is a great example

@human_organ_lover96_gamer Год назад

@@PurplePiiPii exactly

@WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs Год назад

That one episode of Inuyasha where Kagome gets chased around by an evil Noh mask

@Knightwolf1994 2 года назад

I assumed it was because of the uncanny valley effect, where we get creeped out by things that look and/or act like humans but clearly aren't.

@bernlin2000 2 года назад

It's creepy...and mysterious! I can definitely see that side as well, much like the "Mona Lisa smile". You're intrigued, you want to know more about the person behind the facade.

@t.castro4493 2 года назад

I always loved Noh masks and Kabuki makeup 😍😍😍

@noya01 2 года назад

It’s just Anya when she gets into Yor’s makeup

@meimei 2 года назад

Growing up with fatal frame and other Japanese horror series I’m used to it now and it’s one you quickly recognize

@Angel_Kittichik 2 года назад

I didn't know people got genuinely spooked by these masks. Thank you for the lesson. 😁

@Mariko2022 2 года назад

Finally a beauty standard I can reach

@ItzNiekoyo 2 года назад

My only exposure to this was in Avatar where Aang had to confront some monster that had this face and if he had any reaction they he wouldn’t return. It’s been years so my details could be off but it makes a lot more sense now

@BloodDragon-rp4xc 2 года назад

I think the hannya mask is one of my favorites for the duel emotion aspect

@starryskyhighway9628 Год назад

Baby make a beautiful face! Her : 🗿

@coups5179 2 года назад

i first learned abt noh masks from a character hata-no-kokoro. it does look ominous but i can see the aesthetic. it's intriguing and also a well crafted art.

@ItzElisaxx 2 года назад

Ok but why does that face look so much like Anya forger's smiling one- 💀

@darnit1944 2 года назад

Fun fact, teddy bears is also the reason why without expression, we can convey many emotions into it when playing

@izzychicken6003 2 года назад

Him: I'm sure you've seen it in Japanese horror games and movies, Me: ANIMAL CROSSING!?

@dusteverywhere2665 2 года назад

my grandma has one up in her spare bedroom and everytime i go and stay at her home in japan, i see it looking over me. it’s been watching over my sleeping self since i was a little kid and i’ve always hated it so much

@bvdf84 2 года назад

Young and beautiful women: *exits* Japanese: STAY AWAY FROM ME!

@Boba_Soba 2 года назад

I remember seeing it in Magical Girl Site! Giving the fact that it means beautiful woman, it makes a lot of sense on why it was in Magical Girl Site

@_andreaux_ 2 года назад

OHHHHHH! I was playing animal crossing the other day and I found a mask like this in the clothing shop! It was literally called a Noh Mask. Thanks!😅

@yoshui 2 года назад

I remember this mask from the game Aka Manto. Amazing horror game btw.

@Magnicentrabbit 2 года назад

Thank you for sharing traditional Japanese culture to RU-vid

@straightjacket3.519 2 года назад

It’s also Zeriam’s weakness just in case you run into the Japanese terminator.

@balrogdahomie 2 года назад

Reminds me of the comedy/tragedy masks in western theatre. Those can be pretty creepy in the right context, too.

@capsfederation3154 2 года назад

She looks so intent and focused

@gyounce1 2 года назад

That is a beautiful combination of greens. I kind of like the look of the mask, though.

@GuiSmith 2 года назад

I’ve always thought it was the fact these masks look quite human but seem to be missing things like expressions, depth, or blemishes. It seems that the aesthetic of the time and the way these were put together really make all that happen on purpose, huh.

@Aven-Sharma1991 2 года назад

But the expressionless look is kinda cool, nonchalant and don’t care about anything but I like a happy beaming smile because it gives light to a dark and cold world

@PsychoSeven 2 года назад

When you don’t find the mask creepy: *I’m not even here.*

@amjthe_paleosquare9399 2 года назад

Ah, so that's why it reminded me of Ghibli's Princess Kaguya, after she got her make over as a noble princess.

@unknownuser6940 2 года назад

Reminds me of another European theatre type in the past. Short amount of costumes, several capable actors able to use them to represent the costume's character. I think it is called "Theatre De l'Arte".

@nom33345 2 года назад

"miss Olivia ga english wo impossible... Incredible"

@FeathersOnFire 2 года назад

*skips to the kabedon between fujiwara and kasumi* Dunno why this was the first thing that came to mind-

@FeathersOnFire 2 года назад

Ok but I'm surprised I found someone who also watched Asobi Asobase in this com,eny section :3

@nom33345 2 года назад

@@FeathersOnFire "kore ga... Japanese kabedon"

@sqmidward7693 2 года назад

YES! We learn this in theatre school. It's all in the lighting and how the actor turns his head. The shadows on the masks can change the expression completely. It takes years of training and generations of mastery for him to become the best of the best. I say him because Noh theatre is reserved for only male performers. Even in a modern setting, it's very rare to have a woman play a woman.

@inariloli6607 2 года назад

I remember when I was 7 years old and being absolutely terrified of the Inuyasha episode with the Ancient Man Eating Noh Mask. Now, years later, I like the way there designed. It gives off an ominous feel to it, and I strangely like that. :)

@SourSalty 2 года назад

Psychologically explained: 1. It resembles a human face. 2. It's decently realistic but has stuff giving it off that it's not a real person's face. 3. The presence of multiple emotions. 4. The blend look of the mask.