Title: Oeyama Emaki (Oeyama Picture Scroll), Circa 1800-1850. An Emakimono Handscroll with Many Paintings of this Tale of Oni King Shuten Doji, Being the Second of Two Scrolls
Artist: After Kano Motonobu
Condition: Very Good
A Late Edo Period, early to mid 19th century manuscript edition of the Ōeyama Emaki, or the Oeyama Picture Scroll, being the Tale of Shuten Doji. Though possibly older, the oldest surviving text of the legend is recorded in the 14th century Ōeyama Ekotoba, which was then widely reprinted and reproduced over the centuries.
The tale follows an account of how the legendary hero Minamoto no Raikō, or Yorimitsu, slew Shuten Doji, the demon king of Japan, and although decapitated, the demon's detached head still took a bite at the hero, who avoided death by wearing multiple helmets stacked on his head.
This is the second of two scrolls, beginning almost immediately with the furious climax of the tale, where no Raikō and his retinue attack the weakened Oni King, dismembering him, and fending off an attack from the severed head of the Oni King. Following this, are several scenes of the disorganized Oni King’s army being destroyed and routed by no Raiko and his valiant warriors, taking several prisoner as well. They then free the many women kidnapped by the Oni King, in a cave littered with the corpses and bones of other poor maidens too late to rescue, having been devoured or murdered by the demons. The retinue then returns back through the mountains, and we can see a following scene of a victorious parade through the castle grounds, with the decapitated heads of the Oni King and other demons in barrels carried through the crowds. We then come to a somber scene where the Emperor is presented with what is likely the remains of one of the princesses who was kidnapped of the Oni King, as he and the rest of the court weeps. Following that is a final court scene.
All of the scenes have been painted in rustic fashion, using clouds to border and decorate each painting, and displaying some Kano School skills copied rather nicely, more noticeable in the landscapes.
The paintings have been laid down and bound in a scroll format for preservation, with a beautiful brocade decorated cover of gold flowers against beighe, and there are small jikusaki (knobs) made of lacquered wood. There is a wooden box to accompany it, preserving the scroll.
One brocade bound emakimono (picture scroll) on fine paper, 28.5 x 1142 cm. The knobs are not included as part of the measurement.
This handscroll is in very good shape, with minor rubbing and wear to the brocade fabric, with a few threads loose. There is some soiling and creasing throughout.