Shuten-dōji at Mount Ōe (Ōeyama Shuten-dōji) Possibly 1858

Curator: This is "Shuten-dōji at Mount Ōe" by Utagawa Yoshitsuya. Editor: It's intense! A real battle scene with demons clambering around a central tower. Curator: Yoshitsuya, active in the mid-19th century, was known for his warrior prints. This piece likely references the famous legend of the hero Minamoto no Yorimitsu slaying the demon Shuten-dōji. Editor: I'm struck by the power dynamics at play. Are we meant to sympathize with the demon who is perceived as the Other? How is this narrative used to reinforce societal hierarchies? Curator: Precisely. The story, and Yoshitsuya's depiction, reflects the social anxieties of the time, using folklore to reinforce the established order. Editor: The rich colors and intricate details create a compelling visual narrative. I find myself questioning who the real monsters are. Curator: It is this ambiguity that makes the work so enduring and culturally significant. Editor: It certainly gives one a lot to think about.