Japanese Ghosts and Demons: Art of the Supernatural

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

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Japanese Ghosts and Demons: Art of the Supernatural
Stephen Addiss, curator
Asia Society Galleries, New York, New York

Japanese art, particularly during the Edo period, portrays a host of fascinating supernatural beings. The museum's collection of 19th century wood-block prints, supplemented by loans, was drawn upon for this popular exhibition which opened at the Asia Society Galleries in New York City. The catalogue and programs were supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Works of art

Yashima Gakutei (circa 1786–1868, active 1815–1852), Ushiwaka and Sōjōbō
Yashima Gakutei (circa 1786–1868, active 1815–1852), Ushiwaka and Sōjōbō
Ushiwaka and Sōjōbō
1820s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Kita Busei (1776–1856); Tatekawa Emba II (active early 1800s), badger and rabbit
Kita Busei (1776–1856); Tatekawa Emba II (active early 1800s), badger and rabbit
Kita Busei (1776–1856); Tatekawa Emba II (active early 1800s)
badger and rabbit
1831, Edo period (1600–1868)
Keisai Eisen (1790–1848), Susanoo no mikoto preparing to slay an eight-headed dragon
Keisai Eisen (1790–1848), Susanoo no mikoto preparing to slay an eight-headed dragon
Keisai Eisen
Susanoo no mikoto preparing to slay an eight-headed dragon
1832, Edo period (1600–1868)
Shiomi Masanari (1647–1722), inro, netsuke, ojime (fox wedding scene)
Shiomi Masanari (1647–1722), inro, netsuke, ojime (fox wedding scene)
Shiomi Masanari (1647–1722)
inro, netsuke, ojime (fox wedding scene)
early 1700s
netsuke (Hannya mask)
netsuke (Hannya mask)
netsuke (Hannya mask)
date unknown
Deme Uman (active 1772–1780), netsuke (fox mask)
Deme Uman (active 1772–1780), netsuke (fox mask)
Deme Uman (active 1772–1780)
netsuke (fox mask)
circa 1772–1780, Edo period (1600–1868)
netsuke (mask of Hannya with glass eyes)
netsuke (mask of Hannya with glass eyes)
netsuke (mask of Hannya with glass eyes)
1800s
netsuke (toad)
netsuke (toad)
netsuke (toad)
1800s
Suzuki Kosai, netsuke (exorcizing oni with beans)
Suzuki Kosai, netsuke (exorcizing oni with beans)
Suzuki Kosai
netsuke (exorcizing oni with beans)
late 1800s
netsuke (Gama Sennin with his toad)
netsuke (Gama Sennin with his toad)
netsuke (Gama Sennin with his toad)
1700s
netsuke (Nō mask)
netsuke (Nō mask)
netsuke (Nō mask)
1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
netsuke (oni)
netsuke (oni)
netsuke (oni)
1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
netsuke (oni)
netsuke (oni)
netsuke (oni)
date unknown
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), #37 Akasaka nawate michi nite yajirō kitahachi o kitsune to omoite chōchaku suru (Akasaka, Yajiro Beats Kitahachi Thinking He is a Fox)
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), #37 Akasaka nawate michi nite yajirō kitahachi o kitsune to omoite chōchaku suru (Akasaka, Yajiro Beats Kitahachi Thinking He is a Fox)
Utagawa Hiroshige
#37 Akasaka nawate michi nite yajirō kitahachi o kitsune to omoite chōchaku suru (Akasaka, Yajiro Beats Kitahachi Thinking He is a Fox)
1855–1857, Edo period (1600–1868)
Okumura Masanobu (1686–1764), Shoki, the Demon-Queller
Okumura Masanobu (1686–1764), Shoki, the Demon-Queller
Shoki, the Demon-Queller
circa 1740s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Totoya Hokkei (1780–1850), Qingao riding a carp
Totoya Hokkei (1780–1850), Qingao riding a carp
Qingao riding a carp
circa 1820, Edo period (1600–1868)
Shunkōsai Hokushū (active circa 1802–1832), Onoe Kikugoro III as Ghost of Oiwa
Shunkōsai Hokushū (active circa 1802–1832), Onoe Kikugoro III as Ghost of Oiwa
Onoe Kikugoro III as Ghost of Oiwa
1826, 1st month, Edo period (1600–1868)
Okumura Masanobu (1686–1764), Fūryū kume sennin (A Fashionable Depiction of Kume the Transcendent)
Okumura Masanobu (1686–1764), Fūryū kume sennin (A Fashionable Depiction of Kume the Transcendent)
Fūryū kume sennin (A Fashionable Depiction of Kume the Transcendent)
1710s or late 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861); Hayashiiya Shogoro, Spirit of Sakura Sogoro haunting Hotta Kozuke
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861); Hayashiiya Shogoro, Spirit of Sakura Sogoro haunting Hotta Kozuke
Spirit of Sakura Sogoro haunting Hotta Kozuke
circa 1850, Edo period (1600–1868)
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), 政岡 Masaoka, #16 (The Spectre of Nikki Danjō)
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), 政岡 Masaoka, #16 (The Spectre of Nikki Danjō)
政岡 Masaoka, #16 (The Spectre of Nikki Danjō)
circa 1841–1842, Edo period (1600–1868)
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), 道化拳合 Dōke ken awase (Comic handgames) (caricatures of actors as three animals playing ken)
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), 道化拳合 Dōke ken awase (Comic handgames) (caricatures of actors as three animals playing ken)
道化拳合 Dōke ken awase (Comic handgames) (caricatures of actors as three animals playing ken)
1847, 2nd month, Edo period (1600–1868)
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), Shodōgu yoriai uwasa hanashi 諸道具寄合噂はなし (A Gossip Meeting Between Various Tools)
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), Shodōgu yoriai uwasa hanashi 諸道具寄合噂はなし (A Gossip Meeting Between Various Tools)
Shodōgu yoriai uwasa hanashi 諸道具寄合噂はなし (A Gossip Meeting Between Various Tools)
1847–1850, Edo period (1600–1868)
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), #49 Lantern Ghost of Oiwa (Hebiyama; Snake Mountain)
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), #49 Lantern Ghost of Oiwa (Hebiyama; Snake Mountain)
#49 Lantern Ghost of Oiwa (Hebiyama; Snake Mountain)
circa 1845–1847, Edo period (1600–1868)
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861); Iba-ya Sensaburo, Nissaka (The Nightly Weeping Rock)
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861); Iba-ya Sensaburo, Nissaka (The Nightly Weeping Rock)
Nissaka (The Nightly Weeping Rock)
circa 1845–1846, Edo period (1600–1868)
Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1864), Ghost of Iga Shikibunojō Mitsumune and Iganokotarō Asayuki
Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1864), Ghost of Iga Shikibunojō Mitsumune and Iganokotarō Asayuki
Utagawa Kunisada
Ghost of Iga Shikibunojō Mitsumune and Iganokotarō Asayuki
1852, 6th month, Edo period (1600–1868)
Shunbaisai Hokuei (active circa 1824–1837), Kohada Kohaiji Mitate Nyōbō Asaka Iwai Shijaku II (Ghost of Kobata Kohaiji)
Shunbaisai Hokuei (active circa 1824–1837), Kohada Kohaiji Mitate Nyōbō Asaka Iwai Shijaku II (Ghost of Kobata Kohaiji)
Kohada Kohaiji Mitate Nyōbō Asaka Iwai Shijaku II (Ghost of Kobata Kohaiji)
circa 1831, Edo period (1600–1868)
Shunbaisai Hokuei (active circa 1824–1837), Iemon Nyōbō Oiwa (Lantern Ghost of Oiwa)
Shunbaisai Hokuei (active circa 1824–1837), Iemon Nyōbō Oiwa (Lantern Ghost of Oiwa)
Iemon Nyōbō Oiwa (Lantern Ghost of Oiwa)
circa 1831, Edo period (1600–1868)
月岡芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892), greedy old woman opens box of demons (The Greedy Hag)
月岡芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892), greedy old woman opens box of demons (The Greedy Hag)
月岡芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
greedy old woman opens box of demons (The Greedy Hag)
1865, Edo period (1600–1868)
月岡芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892), Fuwa Bansaku and the Monster
月岡芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892), Fuwa Bansaku and the Monster
月岡芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Fuwa Bansaku and the Monster
1865, 8th month, Edo period (1600–1868)
月岡芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892), Spirit of General Tamichi as a Great Snake
月岡芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892), Spirit of General Tamichi as a Great Snake
月岡芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Spirit of General Tamichi as a Great Snake
1880, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865), Minikuchi eki goto kaigo no zu (A Gathering of Magicians at Minakuchi on the Tōkaidō)
Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865), Minikuchi eki goto kaigo no zu (A Gathering of Magicians at Minakuchi on the Tōkaidō)
Minikuchi eki goto kaigo no zu (A Gathering of Magicians at Minakuchi on the Tōkaidō)
circa 1850, Edo period (1600–1868)
Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1864), actors Onow Kikugoro III and Ichikawa Monnosuke III in thunderstorm on banks of Sumida River
Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1864), actors Onow Kikugoro III and Ichikawa Monnosuke III in thunderstorm on banks of Sumida River
Utagawa Kunisada
actors Onow Kikugoro III and Ichikawa Monnosuke III in thunderstorm on banks of Sumida River
1820s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1864), actors in roles as the ghosts of Kamata Matahachi and Kikuno
Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1864), actors in roles as the ghosts of Kamata Matahachi and Kikuno
Utagawa Kunisada
actors in roles as the ghosts of Kamata Matahachi and Kikuno
1855, 7th month, Edo period (1600–1868)
Toyohara Kunichika (1835–1900), Scene from Banchō Sarayashiki
Toyohara Kunichika (1835–1900), Scene from Banchō Sarayashiki
Toyohara Kunichika
Scene from Banchō Sarayashiki
1892, 10th month, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Utagawa Yoshiiku (1833–1904), Gods disguised as prospective customers of a brothel (demons disguised as brothel customers)
Utagawa Yoshiiku (1833–1904), Gods disguised as prospective customers of a brothel (demons disguised as brothel customers)
Utagawa Yoshiiku
Gods disguised as prospective customers of a brothel (demons disguised as brothel customers)
1860, Edo period (1600–1868)
Hara Zaichū (1750–1837), Taoist Priest (Gama and Tekkai)
Hara Zaichū (1750–1837), Taoist Priest (Gama and Tekkai)
Taoist Priest (Gama and Tekkai)
late 1700s–early 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Hara Zaichū (1750–1837), Taoist Priest (Gama and Tekkai)
Hara Zaichū (1750–1837), Taoist Priest (Gama and Tekkai)
Taoist Priest (Gama and Tekkai)
late 1700s–early 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1864), Ariwara No Narihira as the Ghost of Seigen
Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1864), Ariwara No Narihira as the Ghost of Seigen
Utagawa Kunisada
Ariwara No Narihira as the Ghost of Seigen
1852, 10th month, Edo period (1600–1868)
Utagawa Yoshitaki (1841–1899), Actor Nakamura Shojura as Mitsukuni
Utagawa Yoshitaki (1841–1899), Actor Nakamura Shojura as Mitsukuni
Actor Nakamura Shojura as Mitsukuni
circa 1880s, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Utagawa Yoshiiku (1833–1904), Night Parade of 100 Demons (frog triptych)
Utagawa Yoshiiku (1833–1904), Night Parade of 100 Demons (frog triptych)
Utagawa Yoshiiku
Night Parade of 100 Demons (frog triptych)
1893, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), Mitsukuni Defying the Skeleton Spectre Invoked by Princess Takiyasha
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), Mitsukuni Defying the Skeleton Spectre Invoked by Princess Takiyasha
Mitsukuni Defying the Skeleton Spectre Invoked by Princess Takiyasha
circa 1844, Edo period (1600–1868)
Utagawa Yoshitsuya (1822–1866), Tsuchigumo (Earth Spider)
Utagawa Yoshitsuya (1822–1866), Tsuchigumo (Earth Spider)
Tsuchigumo (Earth Spider)
circa 1847–1852, Edo period (1600–1868)
月岡芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892), Priest Raigō of Mii Temple Transformed into a Rat
月岡芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892), Priest Raigō of Mii Temple Transformed into a Rat
月岡芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Priest Raigō of Mii Temple Transformed into a Rat
1891, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Utagawa Yoshiiku (1833–1904), Humourous Record of Japanese History (One Hundred Devils Out at Night)
Utagawa Yoshiiku (1833–1904), Humourous Record of Japanese History (One Hundred Devils Out at Night)
Utagawa Yoshiiku
Humourous Record of Japanese History (One Hundred Devils Out at Night)
1894, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Utagawa Yoshiiku (1833–1904), Humourous Record of Japanese History [One Hundred Devils Out at Night]
Utagawa Yoshiiku (1833–1904), Humourous Record of Japanese History [One Hundred Devils Out at Night]
Utagawa Yoshiiku
Humourous Record of Japanese History [One Hundred Devils Out at Night]
1894, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Utagawa Yoshiiku (1833–1904), Humourous Record of Japanese History [One Hundred Devils Out at Night]
Utagawa Yoshiiku (1833–1904), Humourous Record of Japanese History [One Hundred Devils Out at Night]
Utagawa Yoshiiku
Humourous Record of Japanese History [One Hundred Devils Out at Night]
1894, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Maruyama Ōkyo (1733–1795), お雪の幻 Oyuki no maboroshi (Ghost of Oyuki)
Maruyama Ōkyo (1733–1795), お雪の幻 Oyuki no maboroshi (Ghost of Oyuki)
お雪の幻 Oyuki no maboroshi (Ghost of Oyuki)
late 1700s