Shutendōji Surrounded by Women 1865

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi created this woodblock print, titled ‘Shutendōji Surrounded by Women,’ in 1886, during the Meiji period, a time of intense social and cultural change in Japan. Yoshitoshi draws us into the mythical world of Shutendōji, a mountain-dwelling demon, surrounded by women. The narrative originates from stories where women were often victims or prizes, but here, their presence becomes more complex. Are they captives, courtesans, or collaborators in the demon’s lair? Yoshitoshi doesn't provide an easy answer, instead encouraging viewers to question traditional gender roles. The women attending to Shutendōji challenge the conventional representations of passivity, suggesting a spectrum of agency. In a society that often marginalized women, Yoshitoshi offers a moment to reflect on the diverse roles and narratives of women. He asks us to see beyond the surface and consider the intricate dynamics of power and identity.