The Greedy Old Woman with a Box of Demons 1865

This woodblock print was made by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, depicting a scene of demonic torment. Look closely: the dominant visual symbols are the demons themselves, emerging from a box that represents the old woman’s avarice. These demons, products of her greed, serve as visual embodiments of psychological distress. Consider the motif of the monstrous figure throughout history—from ancient myths to medieval gargoyles—such figures have been used to externalize inner demons, fears, and moral failings. We see this echoed across cultures, where grotesque figures often symbolize the darker aspects of the human psyche. The eye motif on the box reminds us of its all-seeing, ever-present nature. In psychoanalytic terms, this imagery taps into our collective unconscious. The woman's distorted features reflect an inner turmoil—a visual scream expressing profound emotional and psychological distress. These resurface again and again in art, evolving yet retaining their primal ability to evoke fear and introspection.