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Madaramaru
(魔陀羅丸)
(1866-1867)
from the Handsome and brave heroes of the Water Margin (Biyū Suikoden 美勇水滸伝) series 1866–67
Medium
colour woodblock
Measurements
24.4 × 17.8 cm (image and sheet)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, NGV Asian Art Acquisition Fund, 2013
Gallery location
Level 1, NGV International
About this work
This Japanese woodblock print shows a dramatic scene from the popular Ming dynasty Chinese novel Handsome and Brave Heroes of the Water Margin. It is a tale of heroism based around the adventures of a large band of outlaws who battle many demons and dangerous spirits. Translated into Japanese in the eighteenth century, it subsequently inspired many of the great Japanese printmakers, including Hokusai, Utagawa Kuniyoshi and Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. In 1866 Yoshitoshi made fifty illustrations inspired by the novel, mostly focusing on supernatural themes. Here, one of the outlaws, Madaramaru, conjures a cat demon.
Artwork Details
Accession Number
2013.697.12
Department
Asian Art
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation