Our featured work of art for June is this imposing, (125cm in height) Japanese, Meiji-era Bronze sculpture depicting an Oni straining with the burden of carrying a large, covered vessel.
As always with our articles and stories, you can click on any of the featured images to take a closer look.
Oni are arguably the most famous, supernatural beings of Japanese mythology. Often described as being similar to the Demons, Ogres and Trolls of European folklore, the truth is that the concept of an “Oni” doesn’t map perfectly to any one creature of Western legend.
Traditional depictions usually show Oni as large, powerful, muscular beasts with humanoid features. They generally have one or more horns, sharp fangs and claws, wild flowing hair, red, blue, black, green or yellow skin, unkempt facial hair and on some occasions, a third eye.
Oni are often depicted dressed in tiger-skin loincloths (a sign of their brutality and strength) but on this occasion, the protagonist is wearing more civilised attire.
He wears loose, billowing knee-length breeches decorated with ornate, geometric and floral patterns akin to those found in Kimono design. These trousers are secured around the waist by a thick flowing cloth sash known as an Obi. The Obi is tied elaborately at the centre with trailing, ribbon-like ends extending past his thighs.
Above his torso, the beast wears a jimbaori-style short vest matching the floral, patterned fabric of his lower garments. He also wears protective “Kyahan” (lower leg guards). Each with tightly woven, chainmail features.
Finally, on both wrists and ankles, he wears thick, heavy bracelets adding to his formidable, captive-demon appearance.
As a symbol of his brute strength, he holds aloft a massive covered vessel, perhaps as an offering to his master. The vessel is decorated with geometric Kimono patterns and a siege of Red-Crowned Cranes flying amongst billowing clouds adding to the drama.
In Japan, the Red-crowned Crane is a much-revered bird. A symbol of strength, good fortune and longevity, it was believed that the bird could live for 1,000 years.
Oni are one of our favourite protagonists of Japanese folklore and it’s easy to see why they have become a globally-recognised icon of Japanese life, immortalised in video games, animation, film, literature, music and body art. This isn’t the first time that we have featured an Oni on these pages….
We previously retold the tale of the Oni Mask and you can discover this enchanting fairytale by Clicking Here or on the image below.
We also featured this imposing Miyao Bronze Okimono of a giant Oni carrying the Bell of Mii-dera.
There is also this wonderful depiction of an Oni no Nenbutsu.
Finally, there is the tradition of Setsubun. A centuries-old practice that marks the transition from Winter to Spring and sees mischievous Oni being banished from temples, shrines and homes across Japan.
If you found this interesting, you will find over 150 short-stories and articles inspired by our collection of Chinese and Japanese Fine Art and Antiques by Clicking Here.