Yoshitoshi 芳年: Raiko Conquering the Shuten Doji Demon of Oe Mountain (Sold)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 芳年 (1839-1892)Title: Raiko Conquering the Shuten Doji Demon of Oe Mountain (Raiko shitenno Oeyama kijin taiji) Date: 1864Size: ôban triptych (37.1 x 77.7 cm) Yoshitoshi has immortalized the moment where all looks lost, just moments before the hero Raiko (Minamoto Yorimitsu) slays the terrible drunken ogre Shuten-doji. The enormous demon seems just about to crush Raiko with his giant hand, as the hero stands poised at center with both hands on his sword, about to deliver the decapitating blow. The scene is dynamic yet controlled, with the ogre’s form filling all three sheets and Raiko and his men raising their swords from all angles. In a humorous touch, one samurai hangs from his enormous left arm while another seems immobilized by the giant’s right arm. We see the monster’s kidnapped women fleeing the scene, and the Shuten-doji’s demonic henchmen also trying to escape the melee. The Shuten-doji’s robe contains oxidizing orange-lead pigment and his entire fo