Ranryo

Mask for Bugaku representing the prince Ranryo. Bugaku theater is an artistic expression imported from China, in the 8th century, through Korea or by Southeast Asia. It can only be seen in Japan, where it still preserves its narrative and performative heritage. This is the case of the chinese court dance, from the Tang dynasty (618-907), which evokes the martial prowess of Lanling (Ranryo, in Japanese), a 6th century prince who, when fighting, wore a hideous mask to hide his young and seductive face.The masks presented in Bugaku are usually supernatural beings and animals, as birds and dragons.