Hyakkai Zukan

What it is

The Hyakkai Zukan is an emakimono, or picture scroll, painted in 1737 by the artist Sawaki Suushi. It functions as a supernatural bestiary containing thirty distinct images of yōkai, which are spirits, ghosts, and monsters from Japanese folklore. The work serves as a visual record of these beings, drawing upon existing literature and artistic traditions. Scholars consider it a high-quality piece due to its careful brushwork and clear production date. It stands as a standard reference for encyclopedia-style yōkai scrolls and provides a benchmark for modern research into this genre of Japanese art.

Where it comes from

The scroll was painted in the second year of Genbun, corresponding to 1737, during the Edo period. The colophon attributes the original manuscript to Kanō Motonobu, a painter from the late Muromachi period. However, historians believe Suushi created this specific work as a copy of that older, handed-down manuscript. This lineage connects the Edo period artwork to earlier Muromachi artistic traditions. The scroll was later owned by Yoshikawa Kanpō, a researcher of costume history and Nihonga painter, before entering the collection of the Fukuoka City Museum.

How it is done

The artist employed careful brushwork to render thirty individual yōkai figures onto the scroll. The composition follows a structured arrangement typical of encyclopedia-style picture scrolls. Other works from the era share similar layouts, though many lack the clear postscripts found here. The method involves recording established folklore entities rather than inventing new ones. The scroll acts as a catalog, preserving the visual forms of these creatures for future generations of artists and researchers.

Tools and materials

The primary tool is ink applied to paper to create the emakimono format. The materials reflect the artistic standards of the Edo period. The scroll relies on visual representation rather than text-heavy descriptions, using image to convey the nature of each spirit. The physical object itself serves as a historical artifact, now preserved in a museum setting.

What it is for

The scroll was created to document and preserve the imagery of yōkai. It influences subsequent Japanese yōkai art, serving as a visual source for later creators. Researchers use it to understand the evolution of monster depictions in Japanese culture. It provides a fixed point in time for comparing changes in yōkai names and appearances across different periods.

Who does it

Sawaki Suushi, born in 1707 and died in 1772, painted the scroll. He was a student of Hanabusa Itchō. His work reflects the training and style of the Edo period artistic community. Modern scholars and museum curators maintain and study the scroll today.

Peoples and places

The subject matter originates from Japanese folklore and mythology. The scroll is a product of Japanese Edo period culture. It has influenced Japanese art for generations. The work is now held in Japan, specifically at the Fukuoka City Museum. Some related scrolls are held in private collections or institutions in the United States.

What people believe

The scroll depicts yōkai, beings believed to inhabit the natural and spiritual world. These creatures include ghosts and monsters drawn from local legends. The work does not prescribe rituals but records the visual identity of these entities. It reflects a worldview where such spirits are part of the cultural landscape.

When it is done

The scroll was completed on a winter day in 1737. It is not tied to specific annual festivals or life events. Its creation was a singular artistic act rather than a recurring ceremony.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Researchers view the Hyakkai Zukan as a crucial benchmark for studying yōkai picture scrolls. Its clear date and complete set of thirty entries allow for precise comparison with other works. Scholars analyze how names and forms changed in later texts, such as Toriyama Sekien's Gazu Hyakki Yagyō. They trace the lineage of these images back to potential Muromachi origins.

Compare and confuse

The Hyakkai Zukan is compared to other Edo period scrolls like Bakemono Zukushi and Gazu Hyakki Yagyō. Later works often feature more yōkai or altered names. For example, Sekien's book changes several names and omits certain creatures while adding others. These comparisons help map the evolution of yōkai iconography.

Law and persecution

The scroll is protected as cultural property within Japan. It is held by a public museum, ensuring its preservation. There are no known legal restrictions on its study or display.

Questions people ask about Hyakkai Zukan

Good reading and sources

• Hyakkai Zukan on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data