Happy Lunar New Year! To welcome in the Year of the Dragon, here is a Japanese ukiyo-e print by Ogata Gekko from 1897, depicting a dragon rising in the sky before Mount Fuji. 🐉 #LunarNewYear#YearOfTheDragon#JapaneseArt#ukiyoe#dragons
This ukiyo-e print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1843) is from the series 'Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety of Our Country' and depicts Zen-no-jo of Shinano being shown a vision in a large mirror by two demons and one of the Judges of Hell. #MythologyMonday#ukiyoe#JapaneseArt#JapaneseFolklore
In Japanese mythology, Amaterasu is the goddess of the sun. In one tale, after getting angry at her brother Susanoo, she retreated into a cave causing the world to fall into darkness. After much consideration, the gods came up with a way to lure her out. They placed a mirror outside the cave and Uzume, goddess of the dawn, began to dance provocatively and take off her clothes. Laughter ensued and Amaterasu's curiosity got the better of her. She... #MythologyMonday#folklore#JapaneseFolklore
1/2
...ventured out, caught sight of the mirror and paused to look at her reflection. While she was looking, the gods were able to move a stone in front of the cave's entrance and prevent Amaterasu from going back in. Thus, light was returned to the world.
🎨1. 'Amaterasu' by *tattereddreams via journeying to the goddess.
2. 'Deities Luring Amaterasu from a Cave' - unknown artist, Edo period. #JapaneseArt#ukiyoe
2/2
Kitsunebi (which translates as fox fire) appear as small balls of coloured light floating in long chains about a metre above the ground. They are often a sign that a fox wedding or demon parade are occurring. This strange phenomenon is caused by magical foxes who breathe out balls of fire and use them as lanterns to light their way at night. Humans can only see the lights, but the kitsune (foxes) remain invisible nearby. #JapaneseFolklore#yokai#folklore#JapaneseArt#ukiyoe@folklore
1/2
In Japanese folklore onryo are the vengeful ghosts of people who die while experiencing strong emotions like anger, jealousy, or hatred. Their souls, unable to pass on, turn into powerful spirits seeking vengeance on everyone they encounter. #JapaneseFolklore#folklore#ghost#JapaneseArt#ukiyoe@folklore
🎨Utagawa Kunisada
In Japanese folklore Tesso is a yokai that takes the form of a gigantic rat and is the vengeful spirit of a monk named Raido who was betrayed by the emperor. Tesso gathered an army of rats that wreaked havoc on the places and people associated with Raido's betrayal. #folklore#JapaneseFolklore#yokai#ukiyoe#JapaneseArt@folklore
🎨Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, 1891.
This print titled 'Urashima and Dragon Palace' is by Ogata Gekko (1893) and depicts Urashima Taro on the back of the turtle in the ocean, again with a fishing rod over his shoulder. A hazy dragon palace can be seen in the background. #JapaneseArt#ukiyoe#folklore#JapaneseFolklore@folklore
4/-