By cropping from view much of Shoki's arms, one leg, and the ends of his hair and beard, Masanobu gives the impression of catching a quick glimpse of the elusive demon queller. Discussion Questions Look 1. Tell the story of Shoki, the Demon Queller . In the story, Shoki is considered very ugly. Traditional Japanese ink paintings rely on dramatic lines to capture a subject.
Japanese artists sign their work, just as artists in other parts of the world do.
Find Okumura Masanobu's signature on this print. In the story of Shoki, depicted in this print, Shoki's spirit took on the role of demon queller after the emperor, sorry for having rejected Shoki, buried him with highest honors. Shoki's spirit was grateful for the emperor's remorse and belated respect. During the Edo period in Japan, families hung pictures of Shoki inside and outside their houses to protect their male children during the Boys' Day festival. Shoki was discriminated against because of the way he looked.