Okumura MASANOBU
(Japan 1686–1764)
- Title
- Shôki the demon queller
- Place of origin
-
Japan
- Period
- Edo (Tokugawa) period 1615 - 1868 → Japan
- Year
- circa 1705
- Media category
- Materials used
- woodcut hand applied with urushi (lacquer) and washes of ink
- Dimensions
-
Kakemono-e: 55.7 x 24.2cm image/sheet
- Signature & date
- Signed c.l., in Japanese, ink [incised on block] "Hôgetsudô Okumura Bunkaku Masanobu kinzu [picture respectfully by Hôgetsudô Okumura Bunkaku Masanobuand]" [and artist's seal ,"Tanchôsai"]. Not dated.
- Credit
- Purchased 1993
- Accession number
- 338.1993
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
Shoki the demon queller is a good example of a Chinese import into the vast pantheon of Japanese gods and spirits. Legend has it that the Tang emperor Xuan Zong was healed from his illness by Shoki (Chinese name Zhongkui), who appeared in his dream. In the dream Shoki said that he had been an unsuccessful candidate of the official examinations, but found his talent in quelling demons. In Japan, the image of Shoki is most conspicuous on Boy's Day, when people pray for the wellbeing of their male offspring.
The Asian Collections, AGNSW, 2003, pg.198.
- Bibliography (4)
-
Verlie Just (Australia) (Author), Four Centuries of Ukiyo-e Prints, Brisbane, 1997. cat. no: 3
The Male Journey in Japanese Prints 1989, 1989, 76 [illus.]. figure no. 109
AJIOKA Chiaki (Japan) (Curator), Heroes and villains: from Japan's floating world, Sydney, May 2001, 7. cat.no. 3.12
'The art of Buddhism and other worlds', The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales 2003, 2003, 198 (colour illus.).
- Exhibition history (2)
-
Four Centuries of Ukiyo-e Prints, Queensland Art Gallery, 07 May 1997–27 Jul 1997.
Heroes and Villains, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 19 May 2001–19 Aug 2001.
