This Stamp Disturbs Me (Nippon)

Hi Everyone,
I am new here and faily new to stamp collecting. I have learned SO much from all of you here.

I looked up the word "Nippon" and it is Japan, right? If so, I tried to look up this stamp in the Scott 2008 Catalog but I couldn't find it. but, I have dont that before, and then looked a day later at the same pages and there it is, so I probably missed it while skimming the catalog.

Anyway, I have NO idea what this stamp represents, why it looks like a very scary face to me. Please any help, comments.

Thank you so much in advance!
SueStamps

Yes Japan. This is SC#1085 from the 1971-75 series. That is Bazara-Taisho c.710-794
Doesn't look like a very nice fellow, does he?

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/ht...nerals.shtml

This website has lots of info re this character.

How extraordinary,
on another stamp newsgroup about 6 years ago
I made a similar comment.
I'll see if I can dig up the answer.