1925 (ca.), Tsukioka Kōgyo, Tsuchigumo, from the series Nōgaku hyakuban -- National Museum of Asian Art (Washington)
From the museum label: The warrior Minamoto no Yorimitsu (944- 1021) is one of the most cherished heroes in Japanese visual arts and literature, and he is associated with several fantastical tales. One of these, the eerie story of Tsuchigumo. has become so beloved, it was adopted into the kabuki theater and has been depicted by countless artists. In the story, Yorimitsu has been struck by illness, and nothing seems to help. A strange monk soon reveals that an evil spider, the so-called "earth spider" (tsuchigumo), has cast a wicked spell over the warrior. It becomes clear the monk himself is the earth spider in disguise, spinning his poisonous net over Yorimitsu. Compare the two impressions of the same image to notice how the effect can change with each edition.
1925 (ca.), Tsukioka Kōgyo, Tsuchigumo, from the series Nōgaku hyakuban -- National Museum of Asian Art (Washington)
From the museum label: The warrior Minamoto no Yorimitsu (944- 1021) is one of the most cherished heroes in Japanese visual arts and literature, and he is associated with several fantastical tales. One of these, the eerie story of Tsuchigumo. has become so beloved, it was adopted into the kabuki theater and has been depicted by countless artists. In the story, Yorimitsu has been struck by illness, and nothing seems to help. A strange monk soon reveals that an evil spider, the so-called "earth spider" (tsuchigumo), has cast a wicked spell over the warrior. It becomes clear the monk himself is the earth spider in disguise, spinning his poisonous net over Yorimitsu. Compare the two impressions of the same image to notice how the effect can change with each edition.