Generically masks or 'tal' in Korea have a long tradition going back at least 5000 years. Used in war, on both soldiers and their horses; ceremonially, for burial rites in jade and bronze, for shamanistic ceremonies to drive away evil spirits; to remember the faces of great historical figures in death masks; and in the arts, particularly in ritual dances, courtly, and theatrical plays; down to the present use of minature masks for tourist souveniers, or on cell-phones where they hang as good-luck talismans.

Shamanistic masks

Like the masks of Tibet which were an essential part of the ceremonies of Tibetian buddhism , the often horrifying or grotesque masks in shamanistic practices were used for their ability to evoke fear, and humour, in ceremonial rites. The masks were often made of duck wood with several coats of laquer to give the masks gloss, and waterproof them for wearing. They were usually also painted, and often had hinges for mouth movement.

Typically one sees the following some of which are designated as cultural national treasures.

Hahoe Byulshinkut Exorcism Masks: Yand Ban Tal (nobleman), Bune Tal, Sonbi Tal (scholar), Kagsi Tal (bride), Chorangi Tal, Halmi Tal, Juji Tal (head monk), Jungi Tal (monk), Paekjong Tal (butcher), and Imae Tal.

Cultural Assets and National Treasures

The mask play of Hahoe Byeolsin Exorcism itself is classified as important intangible cultural asset #69 by the Korean government on November 17, 1980. Hahoe masks themselves were also labelled national treasure at the same time #121. The folk tale of Ha-hoe is one of folk dramas of Poong-chun Ha-Hoe village in Kyoung-buk province from the Goryeo Dynasty.