Lord Sadanobu Threatens a Demon in the Palace at Night
A hand-painted replica of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s masterpiece Lord Sadanobu Threatens a Demon in the Palace at Night, meticulously crafted by professional artists to capture the true essence of the original. Each piece is created with museum-quality canvas and rare mineral pigments, carefully painted by experienced artists with delicate brushstrokes and rich, layered colors to perfectly recreate the texture of the original artwork. Unlike machine-printed reproductions, this hand-painted version brings the painting to life, infused with the artist’s emotions and skill in every stroke. Whether for personal collection or home decoration, it instantly elevates the artistic atmosphere of any space.
"Lord Sadanobu Threatens a Demon in the Palace at Night" is a woodblock print created by the renowned Japanese artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892). Yoshitoshi is widely regarded as one of the last great masters of the ukiyo-e tradition, a genre of Japanese art that flourished from the 17th to the 19th centuries. This particular work is part of Yoshitoshi's celebrated series New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts (Shinkei Sanjūrokkaisen), which was published between 1889 and 1892. The series is known for its dramatic and imaginative depictions of supernatural themes, folklore, and historical tales.
The print portrays Matsudaira Sadanobu (1758–1829), a historical figure who served as a senior councilor (rōjū) of the Tokugawa shogunate during the late Edo period. Sadanobu is best known for his political reforms, often referred to as the Kansei Reforms, which aimed to stabilize the shogunate's finances and strengthen moral discipline. In this artwork, however, Yoshitoshi presents Sadanobu in a fictionalized and supernatural context, confronting a demon within a palace at night. The scene reflects the blending of historical figures with fantastical elements, a hallmark of Yoshitoshi's ghost and folklore series.
The composition of the print is striking, with Sadanobu depicted in a commanding stance, holding a weapon as he faces the demon. The demon, rendered with grotesque features, embodies the fearsome and otherworldly qualities typical of Japanese folklore. The setting, a dimly lit palace interior, enhances the tension and drama of the encounter. Yoshitoshi's use of vivid colors, intricate patterns, and dynamic lines demonstrates his mastery of the woodblock printing technique and his ability to evoke emotion and narrative through visual art.
This print, like others in the New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts series, reflects the late Edo and early Meiji period's fascination with the supernatural and the past. It also showcases Yoshitoshi's innovative approach to ukiyo-e, as he sought to revitalize the tradition during a time when Western art and photography were gaining popularity in Japan. Today, Yoshitoshi's works are highly regarded for their artistic and cultural significance, and "Lord Sadanobu Threatens a Demon in the Palace at Night" remains a notable example of his ability to merge history, folklore, and artistic expression.
