Religion and Folklore in Japanese Masked Performance
Feng Sen
Abstract:"Diverting deities" precedes "entertaining humans" - a common characteristic in theapplication of mask culture to ritual activities and theatrical performances across various nations.Mask art, in its form, undoubtedly reflects the ideology of its respective ethnic group. Yet it carriesbroader and more multifaceted cultural connotations. Among these, religious beliefs and mythicallegends stand at the forefront. This paper attempts to interpret the inception, development, evolution,and formation of traditional mask culture in Japan from three perspectives, exploring the influence ofthe religious beliefs and folk culture carried by Japanese performing arts masks.
Keywords: Japan; Mask; Performance; Religion; Folklore
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