Why do Japanese people use this mask to the side of the head and not over the head (like her sunglasses)? I always see it like that. Is there a specific reason?

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Thorcsf said:
Why Japanese people use this mask to the side of the head and not over the head (like her sunglasses)? I always see it like that. Is there a specific reason?

i figured it was a hair decoration that looked like a mask.anyway i suspect the answer, as with a lot of things japanese, is that it looks cuter.

Abraxas said:
i figured it was a hair decoration that looked like a mask.anyway i suspect the answer, as with a lot of things japanese, is that it looks cuter.

Hair decoration? No, I don't think so, it's too big. It's actually a wearable fox mask; but I always see it in anime and illustrations being used to the side of the head, like in this picture. It's usually seen used by females in festivals, together with a kimono. In my country, and I think in Western countries in general, when people take a mask off, they usually move them upwards, over the head, but this mask is always seen used to the side of the head, and not over the head. So I thought there could be a traditional or cultural reason behind it; maybe to make the person look like she/he has two faces: one of human and one of an animal, :P I don't know. I always found it strange to use the mask like this and always wondered the reason why. ^^

It might be too late, but Abraxas give you the half right answer. Its still mask, but also used as hair decorations, but it still a mask.
Even we bought mask (at festival), we almost never use it on face (some kid usually use it normally on face for few moments, like few minutes or so) but it always end up on side of head.
Not a cultural reason tho, its just how we used to. Its been like that for decades, so there's may another reason.