netsuke (mask of Hannya with glass eyes), unknown maker from Japan

Archive Label date unknown: The Japanese oni may not be inherently malicious, but merely apt to cause touble. This is true of female oni as well as male. A specific type of female demon called hannya is characterized by a particular psychological force. She is fearful, wrathful, and often represents a highly jealous female. This netsuke has a round face and glass-inlaid eyes. Her nubby horns are visually offset by the knobby chin.