Raiko severing the head of the Shuten-doji, while his followers destroy other demons (Raiko Oeyama iri no zu)
Woodblock triptych, each sheet signed Kuniyoshi ga, published by Yamamoto Heikichi, 10th month 1853
Each sheet approx. 37.5 x 25.3 cm.

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Lot Essay

Although texts vary slightly in their details, this legend recounts the story of Shuten-doji, a mythical demon of gigantic stature and horns on his head. In early times he was believed responsible for a large number of people going missing and so the Emperor commanded Minamoto no Yorimitsu (Raiko) to destroy the demon.

In this triptych, Minamoto Yorimitsu and his retainers have tracked Shuten-doji to his lair and are holding him down whilst Raiko (right-hand sheet) has decapitated the demon with his sword. However although severed, the head still attempts to attack Raiko.

This famous scene was depicted by numerous artists including Katsukawa Shuntei (see Lot 66) and Utagawa Yoshitsuya (see Lot 69).

For the same print in the collections of The British Museum, accession number 2008,3037.20902, go to:
http://www.britishmuseum.org/research.aspx