#49 Lantern Ghost of Oiwa (Hebiyama; Snake Mountain)

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, artist

1797–1861

#49 Lantern Ghost of Oiwa (Hebiyama; Snake Mountain), circa 1845–1847, Edo period (1600–1868)

Portfolio/Series title: Ogura Nazorae Hyakunin Isshu (Ogura Imitations of the One Hundred Poets) (Pictures Based on the Ogura One Hundred Poems)

Where object was made: Japan

Material/technique: color woodcut

Dimensions:
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 335 x 219 mm
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 13 3/16 x 8 5/8 in
Mat Dimensions (Height x Width): 19 x 14 in

Credit line: Gift of H. Lee Turner

Accession number: 1968.0001.055

Not on display

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Archive Label date unknown:
As with many ghost stories, the torture of the murderer is largely a manifestation of his own guilt. Iyemon confines himself to a cottage at Snake Mountain, yet even here he cannot escape the spirits of the dead. The ropes and vines around him have come alive in the form of writhing snakes. Yellow flowers appear as accusing eyes. Smoke rises to envelop a lantern, turning into strands of Oiwa's hair. Iyemon is now ready to welcome his own death at the hand of his brother-in-law, who avenges all of Iyemon's victimes.