Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre thumbnail 1
Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre thumbnail 2
+2
images
Not currently on display at the V&A

Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre

Triptych
19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This striking image illustrates the story of princess Takiyasha, daughter of warload Taira Masakado who started a rebellion against the court in Kyoto. As the rebellion failed and Masakado subsequently killed, the ghosts of soldiers who had fallen during the rebellion haunted Masakado’s palace at Soma. This print captures the moment when Princess Takiyasha summons these ghosts and turns them into an enormous skeleton whilst Oya Taro Mitsukuni, who is sent by the emperor to hunt down the remaining allies of Masakado, faces fearless with the skeleton and eventually defeats the plotters.

Delve deeper

Discover more about this object
read Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e) Produced in their many thousands and hugely popular during the Edo period (1615 – 1868), these colourful woodblock prints, known as ukiyo-e, depicted scenes from everyday Japan.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Woodblock Print
  • Woodblock Print
  • Woodblock Print
TitleTakiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Woodblock print on paper
Brief description
Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi; signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi, woodblock print, Japan, 19th century
Physical description
Woodblock print on paper
Dimensions
  • Height: 35cm
  • Width: 71cm
  • Height: 510mm (with mounts)
  • Width: 920mm (with mounts)
Gallery label
Toshiba Gallery: This striking image illustrates the story of Princess Takiyasha, daughter of the warlord Taira Masakado. Following his failed rebellion against the court in Kyoto, the ghosts of his soldiers haunted his palace. This print captures the moment when Takiyasha summons the ghosts and turns them into a giant skeleton. (21/08/2013)
Subjects depicted
Summary
This striking image illustrates the story of princess Takiyasha, daughter of warload Taira Masakado who started a rebellion against the court in Kyoto. As the rebellion failed and Masakado subsequently killed, the ghosts of soldiers who had fallen during the rebellion haunted Masakado’s palace at Soma. This print captures the moment when Princess Takiyasha summons these ghosts and turns them into an enormous skeleton whilst Oya Taro Mitsukuni, who is sent by the emperor to hunt down the remaining allies of Masakado, faces fearless with the skeleton and eventually defeats the plotters.
Collection
Accession number
E.1333:1 to 3-1922

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJanuary 16, 2003
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest