Scene from a Ghost Story: The Okazaki Cat Demon
Original title: Scene from a Ghost Story: The Okazaki Cat Demon
kurzbeschreibung
Utagawa Kuniyoshi's diptych from around 1850 leads into a ghost story about the cat demon of Okazaki. Printed in ink and colour on paper, the woodblock print stages an eerie encounter between humans and a supernatural being.
Description
On the left, a figure in traditional Japanese dress with a floral pattern sits holding a written sheet. To the right stand two figures – one in white, one in blue – their gaze fixed on the huge face of the cat demon looming behind them. Its features are rendered in minute detail: teeth, eyes, and hair. A sombre, almost monochromatic palette dominates the image, while light falling from above picks out the contours.
Context
Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) was one of the defining masters of ukiyo-e and often drew on historical and supernatural subjects. During the Edo period, ghost stories were a staple of popular culture. The legend of the cat demon of Okazaki frequently found its way into kabuki and visual media. Kuniyoshi's prints with fantastic motifs were highly popular among collectors.
Impact
An uncanny tension arises because the human actors are directly exposed to the oversized demon face. The dark colouring and sharp contours heighten the menacing character of the print. The eye is drawn to the demon's detailed head – the fascination of the gruesome becomes palpable.
Technique
Two woodblock prints, printed in ink and colour on paper, form the diptych. The ukiyo-e process allowed for the finest lines and precise details, as seen in the facial features and garments. A separate block was used for each colour, so the image was built up in several stages.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)