Katsuyuki Nishijima - 京瓦 "Kyogawara"

Modern | Sōsaku Hanga Woodblock Print

Katsuyuki Nishijima’s woodblock print “京瓦” (Kyogawara) assembles Kyoto’s rooftop talismans into a single frame. Onigawara masks - Shōki the demon-queller, Otafuku’s joyful face, Daikoku & Ebisu, horned demons and the laughing Hotei - stand guard along a temple ridge. Each finely carved figure embodies a layer of folklore, while the cool-blue eaves and warm plaster walls evoke the city’s timeless skyline. 🏯🔱

• Year & Edition: 2016 ·  Ed. of 500 (signed & titled in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet W: 43.50 cm × H: 31.50 cm; Image W: 37.75 cm × H: 25.75 cm.
  
• Condition: Studio-fresh.
• Notes: One of Japan’s most enduring visuals, tiled machiya rooftops are often adorned with Onigawara to ward off evil. A culturally rich image, which again, Nishijima leaves for us to uncover...

• • Shōki 鍾馗 (Zhong Kui): A talisman of Kyoto’s roof-scape – famed and loved in the city more than anywhere else in Japan.
    
  • Otafuku お多福: The smiling, round-face woman.
    
  • Daikoku 大黒天 & Ebisu 恵比寿: Two of the Seven Gods of Fortune (七福神). Daikoku brings agriculture and wealth; Ebisu is god of fishermen and good fortune.
    
  • Demon/Goblin Onigawara masks: Two horned demon figures, inspired by Heian-period designs such as those at Tōdai-ji and the Heian Palace site.
    
  • Hotei 布袋: The laughing, large-bellied Buddha of happiness, child-protection and good cheer.