The Demon Shutendoji of Mount Oe (Oeyama Shutendoji), from the series "Famous Scenes from Japanese Puppet Plays (Yamato irotake)" c. 1705 - 1706

Okumura Masanobu created this woodblock print titled 'The Demon Shutendoji of Mount Oe' as part of the series "Famous Scenes from Japanese Puppet Plays". Here at the Art Institute of Chicago, it presents us with a stark visual encounter between a demon and a warrior. The dominant lines are bold and graphic, defining the contours of the figures and their intense interaction, drawing us into a world of dramatic narrative. The arrangement of forms and lines in this print destabilizes traditional notions of space. The demon, rendered with exaggerated features, confronts the samurai, whose armour is meticulously detailed. These stark black lines against the white space create a dynamic tension, reflecting the conflict between the mundane and the supernatural. The composition invites us to consider the underlying structures of power and representation within Japanese folklore. Notice the starkness of the lines and how they carve out distinct shapes which function semiotically. The cloud, the armour, the demon’s expression—all signs pointing to a larger cultural narrative. The choice of lines and their execution, reflect not just aesthetic considerations but also the philosophical underpinnings of the Edo period.