Junishi no Kemono

By

An ongoing gallery of drypoint etching

Please check the index page for the newest works

Junishi no Kemono (drypoint etching by Yaemi Shigyo)
Junishi no Kemono

Drypoint etching, 100×150, October 2020

Series: Japanese phantoms

In the Edo period, this yokai appeared at Tenpaizan mountain in Chikuzen Province (now Fukuoka Prefecture). It claimed to be a beast of the twelve signs of the zodiac that had been honoured since the age of the gods, and called on people to draw its figure and make devotions to it because it would protect them from misfortune. Its figure combines characteristics of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. Actually, I found similar pictures that were drawn by some Ukiyoe artists in the Edo period as good luck pictures, so it might not be unique to the Chikuzen area.

Umidebito

Hizen no Kuni no Icho

Leave a Comment