The Ghost of Okiku
Terms of Use
Usage Conditions ApplyAt A Glance
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Period
1892 -
Geography
Japan -
Material
Ink and color on paper -
Dimension
H x W (image): 108.6 x 24.4 cm (42 3/4 x 9 5/8 in) -
Accession Number
S2003.8.2750 -
EDAN ID
edanmdm:fsg_S2003.8.2750
Object Details
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Artist
Toyohara Kunichika 豊原国周 (1835-1900) -
Block carver
Umezawa Minokichi 梅沢已之吉 (act. ca. 1880–1922) -
Publisher
Fukuda Kumajiro 福田熊治良 (active ca. 1874-1898) -
Label
Several kabuki plays relate the tragic story of the maid Okiku and her cruel samurai master, Aoyama Tessan. Tessan propositions Okiku for sex, but when she refuses, he accuses her of stealing a priceless heirloom. He offers his forgiveness if she will sleep with him, but Okiku instead chooses to throw herself down a well and dies. It was believed that a sudden gust of wind accompanied the appearance of a ghost, and this was achieved onstage by using a prop umbrella that could turn inside out. Flanked by his retainers, Tessan grips the umbrella as the terrifying form of Okiku emerges from above. Each night she rises from the well, letting out a wail that drives Tessan insane. -
Collection
National Museum of Asian Art Collection -
Exhibition History
Staging the Supernatural: Ghosts and the Theater in Japanese Prints (March 23 to October 6, 2024)Masters of Mercy: Buddha's Amazing Disciples (March 10 to July 8, 2012)Dream Worlds: Modern Japanese Prints and Paintings from the Robert O. Muller Collection (November 06, 2004 to January 7, 2007) -
Origin
Japan -
Credit Line
Robert O. Muller Collection -
Type
Print -
Restrictions and Rights
Usage Conditions Apply
There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
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