The Japanese word hannya (般若) can mean two things.
- Fundamental wisdom that is revealed to the one who awakens to the true life. To know the ultimate reality of the universe. prajna. Etymology: Prajñā.
- One of the more famous masks in noh plays. It is a mask of a female oni (i.e. a ghost or a spirit) with a facial expression of fury, jealousy, and anxiety.
She has two horns and gold plated eyes and teeth. Etymology: Said to have been first created by a person named Hannyabō (般若坊).
Source: Daijirin Dictionary,
edited by Akira MATSUMURA (松村明), published by Sanseido Co., Ltd. 2nd edition 1995. ISBN 4-385-13900-8.
http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/ ← page in Japanese