鬼の三味線

Oni Playing the Shamisen

梅雨空のうっとうしい季節となってまいりました

さて、今回ご紹介いたしますのは、大津絵の「鬼の三味線」でございます。

As the gloomy skies of the rainy season refuse to give way, we would like here to introduce a playful Ōtsu-e painting to lift your spirits - "Oni Playing the Shamisen".



大津絵は滋賀県大津市を中心に作られた民衆絵画です！

大津市の中でも追分で特に盛んに描かれていたため、追分絵とも呼ばれていたそうです。

リズムに乗っているのか、髪の毛もふわっと動きがあります。

鬼が楽しそうに三味線を奏でている姿がとても楽し気でございます！

こんなに陽気な雰囲気の大津絵ですが、実はこの絵には人の行いを戒める意味もあるそうです。

この「鬼の三味線」は浮かれ遊んでいるとき、
”どんな人でも鬼の手中にいるようなものだ”といった意味があるそうでございます。

可愛い鬼に会いに、是非お立ち寄りくださいませ♪

Ōtsu-e are a type of folk painting that were produced in and around the city of Ōtsu near Kyoto throughout the Edo period. They were particularly made in large numbers near a central crossroads (oiwake) in the city, and were accordingly also once called oiwake-e, literally "crossroads pictures". As Ōtsu was one of the main stations on the old Tokaido road, these paintings became popular souvenirs for people traveling through the area.

With a large bottle of sake and a cup in the foreground, the oni - a type of demon or ogre - seems to be enjoying himself as he plays the shamisen, with his hair flowing wildly. And though it may seem merely like a painting with a festive air, it actually carries a message admonishing human behavior. It is said to be a reminder that excessive drink "can put anyone in the demon's hand".

We hope that you will take the time to stop by and see this interesting work.