Japanese symbol for “unmask”

化けの皮を剥ぐ

ばけのかわをはぐ

Romaji: bakenokawaohagu

to unmask (someone's true nature)

In Japanese, unmask is 化けの皮を剥ぐ, read ばけのかわをはぐ (bakenokawaohagu).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

exp, v5g to unmask (someone's true nature)

Written forms: 化けの皮を剥ぐ、化けの皮をはぐ. Readings: ばけのかわをはぐ.

Kanji and stroke order

化

change, take the form of, influence

on: カ、ケ
kun: ば.ける、ば.かす、ふ.ける、け.する

4 strokes · JLPT 2

皮

pelt, skin, hide

on: ヒ
kun: かわ

5 strokes · JLPT 2

剥

come off, peel, fade

on: ハク、ホク
kun: へ.ぐ、へず.る、む.く、む.ける

10 strokes

Other Japanese words for “unmask”

Word	Reading	Meaning
すっぱ抜く	すっぱぬく suppanuku	to expose (a secret, scandal, etc.); to disclose; to uncover

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
文化	ぶんか bunka	culture; civilization; civilisation
変化	へんか henka	change; variation; alteration
強化	きょうか kyouka	strengthening; intensifying; reinforcement
悪化	あっか akka	deterioration; getting worse; worsening
化学	かがく kagaku	chemistry
化粧	けしょう keshou	make-up; makeup; cosmetics
皮膚	ひふ hifu	skin
皮肉	ひにく hiniku	irony; sarcasm; cynicism
剥がす	はがす hagasu	to tear off; to peel off; to rip off

See also: Chinese symbol for “unmask”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.