123 - Yoshitsuya: A Charm against Measles

Utagawa Yoshitsuya: A Charm against Measles, 1862

This is Hashika no mamori (A Charm Against Measles), from 1862, a woodblock print by Utagawa Yoshitsuya (1822-1866).

This is protective magic against illness, typical for Japan. Yoshitsuya was otherwise best known for his prints of warriors, a genre also favoured by his teacher, Kuniyoshi. Yoshitsuya took the first part of his name from the last part of the name of his teacher, which was common practice at the time.

117 - Yoshitsuya: Fight Between Yorimitsu & Hakamadare

Yoshitsuya: Fight Between Yorimitsu & Hakamadare

This is a print from 1858, by Utagawa Yoshitsuya. Its complete title is "Battle Between Minamoto no Yorimitsu and his men and Hakamadare Yasusuke, assisted by a giant snake”.

Minamoto no Yorimitsu (aka Raiko) was a legendary Samurai hero, and Hakamadare Yasusuke, a likewise legendary bandit chief.

Hakamadare turns up in two stories in Konjaku Monogatari, an ancient collection of tales. In this print, Yorimitsu tries to destroy Hakamadare's magic.

63 - Yoshitsuya: Shuten Dōji's Head Attacking Raiko's Band of Warriors

Yoshitsuya: Shuten Dōji's Head Attacking Raiko's Band of Warriors

Shuten-dōji is a mythical creature, a yokai and an oni leader residing in Ooe-yama (Mount Ooe). He is sometimes considered one of the "great three evil yokai". There are severel different stories about his ancestry, birth and life, but he is inherently evil. The emperor in Kyoto wants him killed and sends the legendary samurai Minamoto "Raiko" Yorimitsu to defeat Shuten-dōji. Raiko gives Shuten-dōji poisoned sake, and when he drinks he falls asleep and his head is cut off. The cut-off head, however, is still alive and tries to bite Raiko, who finally wins with the help of a magical helmet.

This print is Shuten Dōji's Head Attacking Raiko's Band of Warriors, from 1858. The artist is Utagawa Yoshitsuya (1822-1866).