"The Mansion of the Plates" - Series: “One Hundred Ghost Tales" by: Katsushika Hokusai (1831-1832)

Dimensions: 10 3/8" × 7 1/2" (26.4 × 19 cm)

Color Woodblock Print

About: The "Mansion of the Plates", known in Japanese as 皿屋敷 (Sara-yashiki), was one of five works Katsushika Hokusai produced as part of his series "One Hundred Ghosts Stories" in the 1830s, though for reasons unknown, he never completed all of them. Departing from his more well known works of landscapes depicting famous scenes in Japan, "One Hundred Ghost Stories", draws material from Japan's rich history and culture of folktales and the stories of creatures and ghosts they tell. Hokusai depicts Okiku trailing out of the well on a dark night, her body having been replaced by beautiful plates, her wet black hair eerily clinging to them as her head rises, her face strangely contorted, indicative of her transformation into a spirit .

The folktale's rich history in Kabuki theater and Bunraku, along with its many different versions in history is indicative of the story's prevalence in Edo Japan's culture. Hokusai's interpretation has some interesting things to note. The long, black hair of Okiku, bears similarities to Yamamura Sadako from the Japanese horror movie The Ring. Considering that Sara-yashiki popularity today, its not far fetched to think Hokusai's interpretation of Okiku served as inspiration for horror even today.

Jesse C.

https://collections.artsmia.org/art/65736/the-mansion-of-the-plates-katsushika-hokusai