Gihachiro Okuyama’s circa 1960-70s woodblock print “岩手鬼剣舞 (Iwate Devil Sword Dance)” pulses with the raw energy of Kitakami’s Oni-Kenbai performers. Clutching 扇子 (sensu, folding fans) instead of weapons, the dancers whirl in dramatic poses, their fierce masks set against a mottled grey background. 😈🎏🎎
- Year & Edition: circa 1960-70s · Self-printed (奥山儀八郎自摺), artist seal lower left of image.
- Medium: Woodblock.
- Dimensions: Sheet H: 24.00 cm × W: 48.00 cm.
- Condition: Excellent; sharp, unblemihed image face, paper crisp & intact.
- Notes: Each August in Iwate’s Michinoku Geino Festival, the Devil Sword Dance (鬼剣舞) enacts a millennium-old rite to fend off evil and invoke bountiful harvests. In this print, the Ichikembai lead dancer stands center wearing the distinctive white mask, directing his troupe of fan-wielding “demons” in a fierce circular formation. Okuyama’s bold silhouettes and rhythmic linework capture the ritual’s theatrical flair and ancient spirit.
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