Mask Item Number: 2669/8 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Mask of Yonip (the lotus leaf) character. Round green and white face with protruding eyebrows. Forehead has a black painted branch(?) design on either side. Eyes are white and outlined with black dots. White bulbous nose and red mouth. Black cloth covering and ties are attached to the back of the mask and hang down. Mask backing is yellow and has a white label with printed red characters to one side.

Narrative

This set of masks were made in Canada after Mr. Han immigrated, but his family brought him the traditional materials to make the masks from Korea.

Iconographic Meaning

Yonip is one of the characters who represent people from an aristocratic background who cannot apply for the national examination because of their scarred faces.

Specific Techniques

First the gourd masks were carved, then three layers of paper mache were applied, then they were painted.