Hahoetal

Hahoetal
Korean name
Hangul 하회탈
Revised Romanization Hahoetal
McCune–Reischauer Hahoet'al

Hahoetal mask and Byeongsantal mask(河回탈 및 屛山탈) is No.121 National Treasure of South Korea, whose name was originated from Hahoe Folk Village and Byeongsan village in Andong City, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. The oldest Hahoe mask is being held in National Museum of Korea.[1][2] These masks are used in Hahoe byeolsingut talnori, Korean ritual-like drama with satire.[3] The mask is one of the most beautiful image representing Korean culture.[4] The Hahoe Mask Dance Drama Preservation Society provides with mask performances at the Hahoe folk village, while weekly full version is performed.[5] Andong city hosts international maskdance festival every October.[6]

Legend

The exact origin of Hahoetal is not clearly known, whereas there has been the legend that Mr.Huh had produced the masks. (According to memories of Hahoe folk village, Family of Huh had lived long before Family of Ahn came to stay in large numbers, which was later followed by Family of Yoo in early Joseon Dynasty.)[7]

The legend says that Mr. Huh had an affair with a young lady but he told her that he would come back after he finalized the production of each mask under the oath of God. He warned that she should never visit him unless he went to her quarter on his own. Desperate she was, she eventually paid a visit to his home to look through the quarter of him, resulting him to die all of sudden.[8][9][10]

History

Traditionally, Korean masks have a tendency to be burned after drama or ceremony whereas Hahoe masks have been well conserved about how to deal with and manage its style and original shape. Cultural Administration of Korea deems the masks to be made since the 12th century.[11]

It is historical tradition that the masks have been almost produced by using alder trees[12] and apply lacquer twice or three times to color properly. Except for the partial area around the chin, each section is carved in asymmetry with a view to express more facial-like expression to boost the satire and fun of the drama. Additionally it was the norm in Hahoe village that the masks must be disclosed during Byeolsingut nori, especially for Gaksital. If one has to observe the mask, that person has to offer a ritual to the sprits. This tradition comes from the recognition that the masks are sacred.[13]

Hahoetal masks were not highly valued until Professor Arthur Joseph Mactaggart introduced the system of masks in seminar in 1954. He was firstly the official of American embassy in Seoul and later was seated to be the professor of Yeongnam University in Daegu.[14]

However, the everlasting tradition faced serious downfall in the early 20th century. After 1928, the performances in interval were shut down under Japanese rule.[15] In the 1970s, Korean people went through movement to revive the tradition including Hahoe masks and Byeolsingut grasping the root of ancestors. Currently, Kim Wan Bae is the only registered master of producing Hahoetal mask.[16]

Value

There have been several research solely on Hahoe masks, revealing the fact that the mask represents the typical facial look of Korean people.[17] Although most of Korean masks were hardly conserved owing to its ingredients such as paper and wood-made bowls, Hahoe masks can be preserved in the form of strong wood type especially with sharp expression on the purpose of playing drama.[18]

The gaze transforms the shape of the mask owing to its asymmetric structure from left to right and from top to bottom. In the drama does the mask show the difference of the look in the seat of beholders and among actors. The fact deals with the features of the drama(using Hahoe masks) that must make use of the social situation with satire - harmony with lack of harmony, Symmetry in asymmetry and perfection in imperfection.[19]

Hahoetal mask is the most essential tool of Byeolsingut nori to scold the corruption of Yangban class, the aristocrats, gaining wider popularity among commoners during Joseon Dynasty.

Role of each mask

There are 11 kinds of Hahoetal masks, featuring various allegorical characters, such as Yangban (an arrogant aristocrat), Seonbi (a pedantic scholar), Bune (a young woman), Chung (a depraved Buddhist monk), Imae (a foolish servant), Baekjung (a coarse butcher), Halmi (an old widow/grandmother).[20] It is said that there were 3 or other masks at first but were gone during Japanese Colonial Period in the early 20th century.[21]

In most time, an aristocrat mask is deemed to represent the shape of Hahoe mask with a separate jaw showing smiles and hospitality. The performance shows the natural look of the performer also in other masks: in case the performer looks downward, bending one's back, part of a jaw or mouth becomes wider like smile.

External links

References

  1. ↑ Kdata.co.kr
  2. ↑ Hahoe Mask museum
  3. ↑ Hohoetal
  4. ↑ 한국의 대표 이미지, 하회탈 Inside life. Chosun.com
  5. ↑ Hahoe Mask Dance Drama Koreatimes.co.kr-Culture
  6. ↑ Andong maskdance festival Visitkorea.or.kr
  7. ↑ Hahoe.or.kr
  8. ↑ Hahoe.or.kr
  9. ↑ Originally from Lee Jaeho(이재호), ≪하회별신가면무극대사≫ , p.76. 1975 Culturecontent.com
  10. ↑ Hahoe mask About.com-Asian history
  11. ↑ Koreart.net
  12. ↑ Local specialty of Andong Andong city tour
  13. ↑ Koreart.net
  14. ↑ Hahoe.or.kr
  15. ↑ Regular Performance for Hahoe Mask Dance, 2012
  16. ↑ Hahoetal.com The greeting of a great craftman - Kim Wan Bae
  17. ↑ Lim Jaehae(임재해), 《하회탈 그 한국인의 얼굴》 p.25
  18. ↑ Hahoe maskdance drama
  19. ↑ The value of Hahoetal mask Culturlcontent.com
  20. ↑ Antiquealive.com Hahoetal masks
  21. ↑ Characteristics of Korean Masks Mcst.go.kr
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