Title: Hyakki Yagyō No Zu (The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons), Circa 1840-1876. A Rare Painted Handscroll Depicting Dozens of Demonic Yokai and Oni in a Monstrous Parade
Author: Yoshida Kokin
Condition: Very Good
A rare Late Edo to Meiji Period, mid to late 19th century emakimono handscroll, entitled Hyakki Yagyō No Zu, or The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, depicting a vast procession of various oni and yokai, marching through the streets of Japan at night. There are curious and warped creatures of all shapes and sizes, yokai and oni running about brandishing weapons, demonic courtesans and more, with thirty-six demons depicted in total. This is a skillfully rendered copy after an earlier Hyakki Yagyo of the 16th century, which was traditionally but incorrectly attributed to Tosa Mitsunobu, located in the Shinju-an of Daitoku-ji, Kyoto.
This handscroll has been attributed to the Late Edo and Meiji Period artist Yoshida Kokin (1804-1876), with his seal. Born in Egami Village in Etchu Province, he loved painting from an early age and studied under Ki Hironari. At at the age of 27, he was featured in the Heian Jinbutsu-shi, and by this time was recognized as a fully-fledged artist. After his mentor’s passing, he studied literati painting under Nukina Souo , and then again under Matsumura Keibun of the Shijo school. Kokin produced a number of works over the decades, and his work is generally characterized by delicate brushwork and gorgeous colors. He passed away at the age of 73.
The paintings have been laid down and bound in a scroll for preservation, with a beautiful brocade decorated cover of blue and shining flowering designs, and there are jikusaki (knobs) made of lacquered wood. There is a wooden box to accompany it, preserving the scroll.
One brocade bound emakimono (picture scroll) painting on paper, 33.3 x 502 cm full length. The knobs are not included as part of the measurement.
This handscroll is in very good shape, with minimal rubbing or wear to the covers. There is some minor, scattered, ink staining and spotting throughout.