Characters with striking appearance, beast-like creatures on our products... We know you might be wondering ‘What are all these characters? What are their significance? How do they relate?’ etc. No worries, we’ve got you covered!
To start with a bang, lets dive into HANNYA, the infamous mythical character, core character and symbol of our brand.
HANNYA
In Japanese folklore, the Hannya is a powerful demon that can possess women who have been wronged, turning them into vengeful spirits. The Hannya is also associated with jealousy and betrayal. Its appearance is said to reflect the inner turmoil of those who have been betrayed or mistreated. When the Hannya takes full control over the victim, its demonic features will become more prominent, with the body of a serpent.
ORIGIN
One of the most well known Japanese literature of Hannya was about a young women named Kiyohime. Who was a beautiful young woman who lived near a temple in the town of Hidaka. One day, she met a young Buddhist monk named Anchin, completely fell in love with him. Anchin, however, did not reciprocate Kiyohime’s feelings, and he attempted to distance himself from her by crossing the Hidaka river.
Kiyohime, heartbroken and enraged, pursued Anchin across the river. She was determined to confront him and make him love her. However when she caught up to him, he did not take the situation well. In the moment of rage and desperation, Kiyohime transformed into a powerful serpent, her body twisting and contorting as she grew larger and more powerful, the true form of a Hannya.
She searched for Anchin, but he had hidden in a golden bell. Kiyohime, using her newfound strength and ability, coiled herself around the bell and began to breath fire, scorching it along with Anchin. When she had came to and lifted the bell, there were nothing but black ashes.
Heart filled with sorrow, Kiyohime has drowned herself in the river and disappeared in distance, never seen again.
Today the Hannya mask is often used in Noh theater performances to depict the emotions of characters who are undergoing a transformation. The mask is usually worn by actresses playing female characters, but it can also be worn by male actors portraying demons or other supernatural beings. It remains an important symbol of Japanese culture and folklore. Whether it is seen in Noh theater performances or as a tattoo on someone’s skin, the Hannya mask is a reminder of the deep and complex emotions that exist within all of us. Its rich history and striking appearance continue to captivate and intrigue people around the world.
WHY HANNYA?
In the modern world of constant changes, fear of missing out with overflowing information, identities tend to be confined into certain groups and labels... As an individual, it can be extremely easy to get caught up in seeking the approval of others, trying to fit in with the crowd, or conforming to societal norms.
However in AKA HANNYA, we like to encourage our customers to celebrate their authentic selves. We believe true happiness and fulfillment for one self come from embracing our own unique qualities, strengths, and interests. Our ability to express ourselves unwaveringly without disrespecting others. In order to achieve that in a world full of confusion, we need to be able to transform. Much like Hannya's transformation from anger to enlightenment, our brand celebrates personal growth and the beauty that emerges from embracing one's complexities.
This is the core value of AKA HANNYA. It is also the feeling we aim for our customers to experience through our products, to be confident and embrace our own personalities, the very substance which makes us who we are.