27 Hannya Mask Tattoo Styles from Traditional to Modern

HANNYA TATTOO

The hannya mask has historically been an extremely popular Japanese tattoo design, and there is good reason why it looks so demonic. The hannya (?? han-nya) originates from stories told in traditional Japanese theater and is perhaps the most recognizable mask in Noh, a style of traditional Japanese theater comprised of music and dancing. It can also be seen being used in other styles of traditional Japanese theater such as Ky?gen and Kagura. The hannya mask represents souls of women who have become demons, full of anger and sadness as a result of jealousy.

The hannya tattoo is a great design to get as a single or as a part of a large scale piece. It looks great in black and grey as well as color, with endless possible color combinations. Here are some hannya tattoos rendered by the artists here at Kings Avenue Tattoo.

MIKE RUBENDALL

#hannya and #snake #backpiece on @xskinnyx @kingsavetattoo #kingsave #tattoo #kingsavetattoo #kingsavetattoonyc #mikerubendall

A post shared by MIKE RUBENDALL (@mikerubendall) on Feb 26, 2016 at 7:56am PST

Creative process. It starts with a thumbnail sketch(left) on a photograph of the desired area to be tattooed and ends with the finished product(right). There is a tremendous amount of time and energy put into all of the steps in between. Hard work to say the least but anything worth doing usually is. Thanks for watching.

A post shared by MIKE RUBENDALL (@mikerubendall) on Jan 25, 2017 at 1:23pm PST

. . . @kingsavetattoo #kingsave #tattoo #inspiration #tattoos #kingsavetattoo #kingsavetattoonyc #japanesetattoo #kingsavenuetattoo #mikerubendall #art #nyc #hannya

A post shared by MIKE RUBENDALL (@mikerubendall) on Aug 28, 2016 at 2:00pm PDT

Here’s one from the archives. Done @kingsavetattoo #NYC

A post shared by MIKE RUBENDALL (@mikerubendall) on Jan 24, 2017 at 7:37am PST

#hannya @kingsavetattoo #kingsave #tattoo #inspiration #tattoos #kingsavetattoo #kingsavetattoonyc #japanesetattoo #kingsavenuetattoo #mikerubendall #art

A post shared by MIKE RUBENDALL (@mikerubendall) on Jul 8, 2016 at 10:48am PDT

#hannya #skull @kingsavetattoo #kingsave #tattoo #inspiration #tattoos #kingsavetattoo #kingsavetattoonyc #japanesetattoo #kingsavenuetattoo #mikerubendall #art

A post shared by MIKE RUBENDALL (@mikerubendall) on Jun 25, 2016 at 6:56am PDT

JUSTIN WEATHERHOLTZ

Splash Splash Hannya for Janine- thank you!!! Good last day at @madetolasttattoo

A post shared by Justin Weatherholtz (@justinweatherholtz) on Apr 27, 2017 at 6:02pm PDT

Big thanks to Nick P for being one of the best clients/ guys around. Super fun job stopper!

A post shared by Justin Weatherholtz (@justinweatherholtz) on Aug 24, 2016 at 5:09pm PDT

MATT BECKERICH

First tattoo at @madetolasttattoo and it was a fun one! Start to finish #Hannya

A post shared by mattbeckerich (@mattbeckerich) on Feb 9, 2017 at 3:21pm PST

All healed up and settled in for a lifetime👌🏻 #mattbeckerich #hannya #geisha #female #demon #kingsavetattoo

A post shared by mattbeckerich (@mattbeckerich) on Sep 12, 2016 at 12:35pm PDT

JUSTIN ESSING

#Hannya hand topper by @essingtattoo_ka #kingsavetattoo #massapequa #japanese

A post shared by KINGS AVENUE (@kingsavetattoo) on Mar 23, 2017 at 3:26pm PDT

 

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Hanya I did on @famousjason He tuffed it out #hanyamask #hanyatattoo

A post shared by Justin Essing (@essingtattoo_ka) on Mar 22, 2015 at 2:56pm PDT

Just started what will be a half sleeve and chest panel. Started with the #hanya Lots of good time fun @kingsavetattoo #kingsavetattoo #hanyatattoo #hanyamask #hanyamasktattoo

A post shared by Justin Essing (@essingtattoo_ka) on Oct 8, 2015 at 4:40pm PDT

 

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Just finished this on my my buddy Sean. @kingsavetattoo #hanyamask #hanyatattoo

A post shared by Justin Essing (@essingtattoo_ka) on May 8, 2015 at 6:54pm PDT

MATT ADAMSON

Little pepper-‘oni’ gap filler 🍕👹 @kingsavetattoo thanks Bobby!

A post shared by Matt Adamson (@mattadamson) on Aug 3, 2017 at 2:05pm PDT

An @mattadamson original #Hannya / #Peony combo for Max. Done at #kingsavetattoo #bowery

A post shared by KINGS AVENUE (@kingsavetattoo) on Jun 21, 2017 at 1:17pm PDT

Healed photos from @ryanhodsontattooapprentice done back at @northsidetattooz thanks for the photos! If you have any healed pictures they are always appreciated! Email them to mattadamsontattoo@gmail.com

A post shared by Matt Adamson (@mattadamson) on Jan 14, 2017 at 9:47am PST

WILL LOLLIE

One shot Hannya on @davewulff @tattoodemonco Thanks Dave!

A post shared by William Lollie (@williamlollie) on Dec 9, 2016 at 7:24pm PST

Later reading. I’ll be @hotstufftattoo all this next week #ashevillenc #hotstufftattoo #nc #westasheville

A post shared by William Lollie (@williamlollie) on Aug 8, 2016 at 5:57am PDT

A post shared by William Lollie (@williamlollie) on Aug 20, 2015 at 2:25pm PDT

CLARK SEIGER

A post shared by Clark Seiger (@clarkseiger) on Oct 30, 2014 at 5:47pm PDT

CHRIS O’DONNELL

Thanks Dominick! Kings Avenue Tattoo NYC #chrisodonnelltattoo

A post shared by CHRIS O’DONNELL (@codonnell_nyc) on Apr 1, 2016 at 7:54am PDT

Thanks Diana! Kings Avenue Tattoo NYC #chrisodonnelltattoo Sketchbook design/ cancelation filler. Always FUN!

A post shared by CHRIS O’DONNELL (@codonnell_nyc) on May 11, 2016 at 7:05am PDT

Fun one for Pedro! Love getting to do one session tattoos when I can. Thanks! Pen-on #chrisodonnelltattoo

A post shared by CHRIS O’DONNELL (@codonnell_nyc) on Nov 10, 2016 at 4:55pm PST

One from the pile of drawings I have at the shop. Thanks Mike! Kings Avenue Tattoo NYC #chrisodonnelltattoo

A post shared by CHRIS O’DONNELL (@codonnell_nyc) on Nov 1, 2016 at 6:40am PDT

Thanks Eric! Kings Avenue Tattoo NYC #chrisodonnelltattoo

A post shared by CHRIS O’DONNELL (@codonnell_nyc) on Jun 13, 2017 at 8:48pm PDT

Thank you Ken! Private studio. #chrisodonnelltattoo

A post shared by CHRIS O’DONNELL (@codonnell_nyc) on Jul 25, 2017 at 7:51am PDT