Thursday, March 26, 2009

Edo Monsters

Esoshi Monsters


Esoshi Monsters a


Esoshi Monsters b


Esoshi Monsters c


Esoshi Monsters d


Esoshi Monsters e


Esoshi Monsters f


Esoshi Monsters g


Esoshi Monsters h


Esoshi Monsters i


Esoshi Monsters j


Inside the International Research Center for Japanese Studies lurks the English homepage in which lurks the Nichibunken databases in which lurks 'The Pictures of Folkways in Early Modern Ages' Collection in which lurks the weird illustrations from the above book, a link to which was lurking in my browser.
"What is the pictures of folkways in early modern ages?
Database of images of esoshi (illustrated books, popular among people in the Edo Period) held at the Nichibunken Library."
Posted by peacay at

14 comments:

  1. Eline26 March, 2009 05:00

    These are beyond awesome!

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  2. →lisa26 March, 2009 05:12

    Wonderful images! I immediately thought of Gahan Wilson.

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  3. anna maria lopez [anna-OM-line.com]26 March, 2009 05:43

    Your finds are always amazing, but this one is also soooo weird! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Loren Coleman26 March, 2009 07:17

    Very interesting, as I just posted myself, merely two days ago, on the new exhibition of (http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/kuniyoshi/) Kuniyoshi art that just opened in London.

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  5. Unknown27 March, 2009 02:50

    Very cool. Lurky you. Thanks for posting.

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  6. nickc27 March, 2009 04:43

    brilliant thanks!

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  7. Ray Girvan27 March, 2009 08:20

    Very nice. Another bunch of good Kuniyoshi monsters is in the Raiko and the Ground Spider series (see index and prints at kiseido.com).

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  8. Karla27 March, 2009 14:06

    Yes, definitely precursors to Gahan Wilson!

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  9. peacay27 March, 2009 15:58

    Thanks for the links Loren & Ray.

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  10. Kittybriton30 March, 2009 02:23

    Wow! The Japanese really know how to throw a visual party!

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  11. Anonymous01 April, 2009 04:58

    I see Gahan Wilson also, but the pink furry guy with the spear in the 3rd pic made me think of Tove Jansson.

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  12. Lady Meerkat01 April, 2009 22:50

    There's a rather good show featuring animals in Asian art, on at Melbourne's NGV now but it features more real than fantastic critters.

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  13. lau20 April, 2009 04:01

    Merci, à chaque fois pour ce partage d'images incroyables et savoureuses ; d'en fournir les sources et de nous permettre de voyager ainsi.
    Ce site est extraordinairement précieux ; j'en sors éblouie à chaque fois !

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  14. Unknown03 June, 2010 06:28

    These are from a guy named Kawanabe Kyosai - 1831-1889
    they called him "demon of painting," he would get liquored up on sake
    and do these amazing characters...he did a lot of images of rats and frogs fighting epic samurai battles.....he's one of my all time favorites

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