Ask John: What Are the Dark Marks on Character’s Foreheads?

Question:
In various anime and manga set in early Japan, female characters often have two distinctive circular markings on their foreheads. What is the origin of this, and what is its significance?

Answer:
The basis of the high, dark eyebrows lies in ancient, traditional Japanese Noh theater. Noh, as seen in the Gasaraki anime TV series, is a drama of minimalism and restraint, focusing on the Zen concept of simple is better. The ancient vision of Japanese feminine beauty expressed by pale, smooth skin, plucked eyebrows redrawn high on the forehead, and teeth stained black is illustrated in Noh characters such as “Wakaonna” and “Ko-omote.” These high eyebrows painted onto a Noh mask may also have served the practical purpose of being more easily visible to an audience seated some distance away.

The high eyebrows are associated with Japanese nobility and high class, thus they are often associated with females, but also appear on male officials and priests. The subtle, permanent emotion of Noh masks and their plain white countenance conjures a simultaneous sense of mysterious, ethereal beauty and mortal terror, which may account partially for their continued appeal.