“One-Legged Umbrella Monster” (Kasa ippon ashi)

1857

Not on view

An unidentified Kabuki actor, perhaps Onoe Tamizo II, performs the role of the One-Legged Umbrella Monster. This delightful apparition is a type of “artifact spirit” (tsukumogami), referring to everyday objects or tools such as umbrellas, brooms, lanterns, sandals, or pots, that turn into ghosts or monsters after they are no longer used. They tend to be more mischievous than evil. When taking on this role, the actor would tie up one leg and hop around on stage.

Artwork Details

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Exhibition History

「傘一本足」
Title: “One-Legged Umbrella Monster” (Kasa ippon ashi)
Artist: Gosōtei Hirosada 五粽亭広貞 (Japanese, active ca. 1819–63)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 1857
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print (nishiki-e); vertical chūban
Dimensions: Image: 9 1/2 × 7 1/8 in. (24.1 × 18.1 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, in honor of James C. Y. Watt, 2011
Object Number: 2011.147
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Gosōtei Hirosada 五粽亭広貞

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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The Actors Ichikawa Ebizō V as the Outlaw Nippon Daemon (right) and Kataoka Gadō as Tokushima Gohei, Gosōtei Hirosada 五粽亭広貞 Japanese, Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; horizontal chūban, Japan — The Actors Ichikawa Ebizō V as the Outlaw Nippon Daemon (right) and Kataoka Gadō as Tokushima Gohei
Gosōtei Hirosada 五粽亭広貞
1849

The Actors Mimasu Daigorō IV as Umako Daijin (right), Ichikawa Ebizō V as Umaya Daijin (center), and Jitsukawa Ensaburō as Prince Shōtoku (left), Gosōtei Hirosada 五粽亭広貞 Japanese, Triptych of woodblock prints (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, with metallic printing and embossing (karazuri); vertical chūban, Japan — The Actors Mimasu Daigorō IV as Umako Daijin (right), Ichikawa Ebizō V as Umaya Daijin (center), and Jitsukawa Ensaburō as Prince Shōtoku (left)
Gosōtei Hirosada 五粽亭広貞
1849

Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), or The Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
, Katsushika Hokusai Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), or The Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
Katsushika Hokusai
ca. 1830–32

Six Jewel Rivers from Various Provinces, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Six woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, Japan — Six Jewel Rivers from Various Provinces
Utagawa Hiroshige
1857

A Black-Naped Oriole on a Stem of Rose Mallow, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Woodblock print, Japan — A Black-Naped Oriole on a Stem of Rose Mallow
Utagawa Hiroshige
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