Sessho-seki, from the series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)" 1898

"Sessho-seki" (1898) by Tsukioka Kôgyo is a woodblock print from his series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)". The print depicts a scene from the Noh play "Sessho-seki", a dramatic story about a vengeful spirit who takes the form of a stone. The print features the demon-like figure of the spirit, Sessho-seki, in elaborate robes, seated on a stage with a drum in the foreground. Kôgyo's detailed portrayal of the spirit's expression and clothing, as well as the atmospheric composition, convey the play's dramatic tension and mystical theme. This print is a stunning example of Kôgyo's artistic mastery in capturing the spirit of Noh theater.