On Onigashima Island a warrior watches two Monkeys — 鬼ケ島
by Ogata Gekko
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Source:
- Japanese Art Open Database
- Image courtesy of
- Japanese Art Open Database
by Ogata Gekko
Onigashima, the Island of Demons, is the legendary destination in the Momotaro folk narrative, where the hero travels with his animal companions — a dog, a pheasant, and a monkey — to defeat the resident oni. This print places a warrior on the island's terrain observing two monkeys, a scene that may depict Momotaro himself or a warrior figure in a Momotaro-inflected narrative moment. The monkeys, as Momotaro's allies, introduce a playful quality that contrasts with the warrior's serious martial bearing. Gekko frequently illustrated scenes from folklore and legend throughout his career, approaching such subjects with compositional energy that balanced figure drama with natural setting. The rocky, dramatic coastline or interior of Onigashima would provide a rugged landscape backdrop suitable for bold, contrasting color application. The juxtaposition of armored warrior and agile monkeys creates the kind of unexpected tonal contrast Gekko favored in his illustration work — neither purely heroic nor comic, but occupying the ambiguous space between the two.
Woodblock print
Woodblock print
Woodblock print
c. 1886–1899
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Wakasa Kugushiko
1920
Color woodblock print; oban
Woodblock print
1934
Color woodblock print; oban
n.d.
Woodblock print; ishizuri-e, section of harimaze sheet
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
On Onigashima Island a warrior watches two Monkeys — 鬼ケ島 was created by Ogata Gekko (尾形月耕).
On Onigashima Island a warrior watches two Monkeys — 鬼ケ島 depicts landscapes.