The Golden Demon
Kaburagi Kiyokata Japanese
Not on view
This print served as a frontispiece for the short novel The Golden Demon by Ozaki Kōyō, a moralistic tale about how the pursuit of money in modern society corrupts relationships. Set in the 1890s, Kan’ichi, a student, is in love with Miya, the daughter of a man to whom he owes money. Their engagement is cancelled so that Miya can marry a wealthy banker’s son. In despair, Kan’ichi breaks ties with all his friends, abandons his studies, and declares he has ceased to be human.