Wearing someone else's face: Hyper-realistic masks to go on sale in Japan

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Wearing someone else's face: Hyper-realistic masks to go on sale in Japan

Shuhei Okawara's masks won't protect you or others against COVID-19

Published: December 17, 2020 07:34 Reuters and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Senior Web Editor

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Copy of 2020-12-16T071959Z_950531646_RC27OK9XJ82R_RTRMADP_3_JAPAN-MASKS-1608175925163 — A year into the coronavirus epidemic, a Japanese retailer has come up with a new take on the theme of facial camouflage - a hyper-realistic mask that models a stranger's features in three dimensions. Image Credit: Reuters

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Copy of 2020-12-16T072911Z_1873711171_RC27OK9OLUA2_RTRMADP_3_JAPAN-MASKS-1608175902672 — Shuhei Okawara's masks won't protect you or others against the virus. But they will lend you the exact appearance of an unidentified Japanese adult whose features have been printed onto them. Image Credit: Reuters

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Copy of 2020-12-16T073506Z_1070281364_RC27OK921OPA_RTRMADP_3_JAPAN-MASKS-1608175906505 — "Mask shops in Venice probably do not buy or sell faces. But that is something that's likely to happen in fantasy stories," Okawara told Reuters. "I thought it would be fun to actually do that." Image Credit: Reuters

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Copy of 2020-12-16T073648Z_2038528831_RC27OK9AJGXL_RTRMADP_3_JAPAN-MASKS-1608175913592 — The masks will go on sale early next year for 98,000 yen ($950) apiece at his Tokyo shop, Kamenya Omote, whose products are popular as accessories for parties and theatrical performance. Image Credit: Reuters

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Copy of 2020-12-16T072423Z_1344988823_RC27OK9EZHHT_RTRMADP_3_JAPAN-MASKS-1608175895608 — Okawara chose his model, whom he paid 40,000 yen, from more than 100 applicants who sent him their photos when he launched the project in October. Image Credit: Reuters

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Copy of 2020-12-16T072312Z_1414061436_RC27OK99HE7G_RTRMADP_3_JAPAN-MASKS-1608175892307 — An artisan then reworked the winning image, created on a 3D printer. Initial inquiries suggest demand for the masks will be strong, Okawara said. Image Credit: Reuters

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20201217 Okawara — "As is often the case with the customers of my shop, there are not so many people who buy (face masks) for specific purposes. Image Credit: Reuters

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Copy of 2020-12-16T073547Z_970556230_RC27OK94T1VX_RTRMADP_3_JAPAN-MASKS-1608175909818 — Most see them as art pieces," Okawara said. He plans to gradually add new faces, including some from overseas, to the lineup. Image Credit: Reuters

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