Iemon Nyōbō Oiwa (Lantern Ghost of Oiwa), Shunbaisai Hokuei

Artwork Overview

Shunbaisai Hokuei, Iemon Nyōbō Oiwa (Lantern Ghost of Oiwa)
Shunbaisai Hokuei, Iemon Nyōbō Oiwa (Lantern Ghost of Oiwa)
Iemon Nyōbō Oiwa (Lantern Ghost of Oiwa)
circa 1831, Edo period (1600–1868)
active circa 1824–1837
Iemon Nyōbō Oiwa (Lantern Ghost of Oiwa), circa 1831, Edo period (1600–1868)
Portfolio/Series title: Hyaku Monogatari (100 Ghost Tales)
Where object was made: Japan
Material/technique: color woodcut
Dimensions:
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 377.82 x 254 mm
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 14 7/8 x 10 in
Mat Dimensions (Height x Width): 19 x 14 in
Credit line: Gift of H. Lee Turner
Accession number: 1968.0001.163
Not on display
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Archive Label date unknown: Avenging ghosts, such as Oiwa, became a major theme in the theater world of the late eighteenth century, when killings became more detailed in depiction and ghostly tales of revenge more picturesque. In this story, Oiwa's face appears everywhere to haunt her murderer, even in a lantern which sways overhead in this print by Hokuei. Based upon a Hokusai design, this print shows the lantern catrching fire and assuming the visage of the mutilated Oiwa. On the lantern is written a holy Sanskrit letter, and "Hail to Amida Buddha," a Buddhist chant often recited just before death.