Onoe Matsusuke As The Ghost Of The Murdered Wife Oiwa, In "A Tale Of Horror From The Yotsuya Station On The Tokaido Road"
Technique: Giclée quality print
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This painting by Utagawa Toyokuni depicts a haunting figure from the famous Japanese ghost story, "Tokaido Yotsuya Kaidan." The eerie depiction presents the character Onoe Matsusuke as the ghost of Oiwa. Oiwa is a vengeful spirit from the story, who was wronged in life and returned to seek retribution.In the image, Oiwa’s ghost appears with long, disheveled hair that flows around and behind her, creating a sense of wild and spectral movement. Her white burial kimono contrasts starkly with the darker and more muted tones of the background, emphasizing her ghostly nature. The kimono clings to her thin, ethereal form, suggesting her supernatural state between existence and non-existence.A striking feature of the painting is the flame-like wisps that emanate from her body. These fiery forms, rendered in shades of red and orange, add to the otherworldly and menacing aura surrounding her figure. It evokes the intense emotion and burning desire for vengeance that characterizes Oiwa in the story. Her expression, a mix of sorrow and malevolence, effectively communicates the tragedy and horror of her fate.As a whole, Toyokuni’s artwork captures the chilling essence of the ghost story and highlights the thematic elements of betrayal and revenge that are central to this traditional narrative.
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Utagawa Toyokuni (1769-1825) was a prominent Japanese woodblock printmaker and painter of the Edo period. Born in Edo (now Tokyo), he was the chief disciple of Utagawa Toyoharu, a well-respected printmaker. He specialized in kabuki theater prints, which depicted famous actors in performances and featured dramatic scenes from plays. In addition to kabuki theater prints, Toyokuni also produced portraits of geishas, landscapes, and scenes from everyday life. He eventually became a leading master of the Utagawa School.