Oni Masks and the Dark Power of Japanese Folklore
On the elusive border between "our world" and "the other world," hiding in the mountains, dim forests, along cold rivers, and sometimes among us humans, live the yōkai, the mythical creatures of Japan.
They say yōkai are not to be trusted. Powerful and dangerous, they were named monsters — and not without reason. Some of them hold unbearable power, both magical and physical. They torture with devotion and kill without remorse. They can easily manipulate or possess you, making you kneel before their strength. Those who cross paths with them always lose, and are no longer in control of their lives, minds, or bodies. They are forever at the mercy of Oni. "Forever," however, does not last long. When a supernatural entity possesses a human body, it gradually destroys it from within. We are not perfect vessels and cannot sustain such beings in our bodies for long.
There are countless kinds of yōkai — for instance, Tengu or Hannya. But the ones most spoken of, and thus the most feared, are the Oni. If they choose to possess someone, they are drawn to those filled with cruelty, malice, and deceit — the rotten souls let them in more willingly and serve as fertile ground for their demonic essence. Oni can even take on a human form, making it nearly impossible to identify them. But if you look closely enough, you can always trace the trail of blood they leave behind.
Oni are strong, and their magic is devastating, but they are neither immortal nor invincible. Every Oni demon is bound to a mask. Inside it, they store their spirit. They protect it at all costs, fight fiercely for its safety, and cling to their "life" with determination. But if you are clever — or lucky — enough to destroy the mask, the Oni dies.
We happen not to destroy the masks, but rather to create them. Our Oni masks contain no spirits — perhaps only fragments of our own souls, poured into each piece we make. Take a look at them here 👀
Display prices in:USD
