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Tengû (Mythical Demon)

Mori Yoshitoshi

Artwork Details

Tengû (Mythical Demon)
1987
Mori Yoshitoshi
kappazuri (stencil print) on paper
14 x 17 ¼ in. (35.56 x 43.82 cm);18 x 22 in. (45.72 x 55.88 cm)
Gift of Gilbert M. Frimet
2004/1.110

Description

In contrast to Hamaguchi Yôzô (whose work is shown below), Mori Yoshitoshi chose a path that celebrates his Japanese heritage. Trained in textile design by leading figures in the Japanese Folk Art movement in the 1920s and 30s, Mori applied stencil dyeing to the art of making prints, using a different stencil for each color. His subjects are also quintessentially Japanese, taken from the kabuki stage, legend, and classical literature. Tengu are long-nosed, winged mythological goblins, skilled at martial arts, who live in the mountains. They are generally more mischievous than evil, and Mori captures their impish character.
Maribeth Graybill, "Recent Acquisitions of East Asian Art," November 5, 2005-May 14, 2006

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