Okame (Otafuku) | おかめ

A Smiling Face of Fortune, Mirth, and Everyday Beauty

Meaning of the Names

The female mask paired with Hyottoko is known by two main names: Okame (おかめ / 阿亀) and Otafuku (お多福 / 阿多福). Otafuku is often interpreted as “much good fortune,” reflecting her role as a bringer of happiness and prosperity. The name Okame is sometimes explained as relating to kame, “tortoise,” a traditional symbol of longevity and good luck, or to the rounded shape of a vase, echoing her full, swollen cheeks. Together, both names emphasize good fortune, long life, and auspicious joy.

Description of the Character

Okame (also called Otafuku) is one of Japan’s most beloved and recognizable female folk faces. She is typically depicted with: a round, plump face; swollen, rosy cheeks; a short, small nose; narrow, merry eyes; and a gentle, good-natured expression. She represents a cheerful, slightly plain-looking but irresistibly warm woman, often described as homely in the most affectionate sense: approachable, kind, and full of life. Some scholars suggest that early Okame images may have represented an idealized form of feminine beauty in their time: robust, fertile, and full of vitality rather than delicately refined.

Origin Stories and Cultural Roles

1. Goddess of Mirth and Laughter

Okame is often linked to the goddess of mirth, bringing joy and light-heartedness wherever she appears. In some interpretations, she is associated with Ame-no-Uzume, the Shinto goddess whose dance lured the sun goddess Amaterasu from her cave, restoring light to the world.

2. Everyday Woman as Amulet

Historically, a plump, “plain-looking” woman with a well-filled figure was believed to have protective power and to ward off evil, turning the image of Okame into a kind of living amulet. This association evolved into the idea that her image could bring good luck, protect the home, and invite prosperity.

3. Lucky Charm at Markets and Shrines

Because Otafuku literally suggests “much fortune,” Okame masks and faces began appearing as ornamental charms, especially on rakes (kumade) sold at Tori no Ichi fairs, where people purchase decorated rakes to “rake in” good fortune for the coming year.

Characteristics and Symbolism

• Good fortune and prosperity: Her name and round, generous features are tied to wealth, luck, and abundance.
• Mirth and joy: She is frequently called the goddess of mirth, embodying laughter, entertainment, and a light heart.
• Fertility and vitality: Her plump cheeks and full form are often read as signs of fertility and a thriving life force.
• Protection and warding off evil: Historically, the image of a robust, “homely” woman was believed to repel misfortune.
• Domestic happiness: As a loving, cheerful figure, Okame is closely associated with household harmony and marital bliss.

Okame in Theater, Dance, and Festival

Okame is deeply ingrained in Japanese performing arts and seasonal celebrations. In Kyōgen and folk performance, she is the female half of a comic pair, often appearing opposite Hyottoko. In dengaku and rice-planting ceremonies, Okame masks are used to symbolize fertility of the fields and community joy. In satokagura (local kagura), Okame masks portray comical women, again frequently paired with Hyottoko. Her image also appears on festival charms and decorations, especially where prosperity and good harvests are celebrated.

Partnership with Hyottoko

Okame is often paired with Hyottoko, forming a classic folk duo. Hyottoko embodies the comic, droll fellow with his skewed mouth and clownlike antics, while Okame represents the cheerful, plump woman of good fortune, laughing beside him. Together, they create a balance of male and female, foolish and merry, fire and hearth, joke and joy. Their masks are widely used as lucky charms, believed to invite laughter, prosperity, and a touch of silly happiness into the home.

Quick Reference

Sources

• https://www.japanesewiki.com/culture/Okame%20(plain-looking%20woman).html 
• https://www.maskmuseum.org/mask/japan-okame-1/ 

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