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Female Ghost carrying off a Male Severed Head

Kawanabe Kyosai, 1871–1889

There was a significant vogue for paintings and prints of ghosts in Japan in the 19th century and many restless spirits of the dead haunt Kabuki plays and public storytelling of that period. Kyosai's ghost paintings were among those collected by the master storyteller San'yutei Encho, and exhibited each summer at Zensho-an Temple,Tokyo with ghost stories told in front of them. This example is among the most fascinating: blood drips from the ghost's fangs, and her hooded green eyes are creepily embellished with gold. Tugging herself upwards by the hair, she glides up and away with shrieking grimace on an ectoplasmic cloud. By contrast, the calm, almost resigned, expression of the severed head is all the more unsettling. Ghost paintings were traditionally hung at the stifling height of summer when any chill down the spine was welcome relief.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Female Ghost carrying off a Male Severed Head, 1871–1889

Date supported

1996

Medium and material

Ink, colour & gold on paper on textile mounting

Dimensions

107 x 38 cm

Grant

5000

Total cost

25000

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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