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Why were some sandae masks burned and remade each year?
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In the context of Korean performing arts, the masks used in the sandae masked play are often burned and remade each year to ensure their ritual purity.1
These masks, which represent various stock characters such as monks, shamans, and noblemen, are typically crafted from paper, gourds, or wood. By periodically destroying and recreating them, the performers maintain the sanctity of the objects used in their dramatic traditions.1