Red Shōki, the Demon Queller 1846

Katsushika Hokusai, renowned for his woodblock prints, also produced masterful paintings like "Red Shōki, the Demon Queller." Created in 1846, this hanging scroll depicts Shōki, a legendary Chinese demon-queller, in a dynamic pose, rendered in striking red hues against a subtle background. Hokusai's signature, a stylized "Hokusai" within a red triangle, can be seen in the lower right corner. This powerful image, a testament to Hokusai's skill and artistry, is an enduring symbol of protection against evil spirits in Japanese culture.