Demon Slayers of the Heian Period:
The Tale of Demon King Shuten Dōji
The Tale of Demon King Shuten Dōji
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The Tale of Shuten Dōji
Muromachi period–Azuchi–Momoyama period, 16th–17th century (Private collection)UpcomingJapanese Gallery (Honkan) Rooms T1 & T2
September 30, 2025 (Tue) - November 9, 2025 (Sun)A group of brave samurai led by Minamoto no Raikō ventured deep into the mountains to slay the demon king Shuten Dōji. Set in the Heian period (794–1192), this story has captivated the imaginations of many artists since it was first illustrated by the painter Kanō Motonobu (1477–1559) in an illustrated scroll late in the Muromachi period (1392–1573). After which, artists from Motonobu’s Kanō school, as well as many other artists, began depicting the story in their works. The present thematic exhibition displays works from the Muromachi period onwards related to this legendary tale.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Volume 1 of the "Illustrated Tale of the Demon Shuten Dōji" | Attributed to Kanō Takanobu (1571–1618) | Edo period, 17th century | A-1372-1 | |||
| Highlight | Volume 2 of the "Illustrated Tale of the Demon Shuten Dōji" | Attributed to Kanō Takanobu (1571–1618) | Edo period, 17th century | A-1372-2 | |||
| Highlight | Volume 3 of the "Illustrated Tale of the Demon Shuten Dōji" | Attributed to Kanō Takanobu (1571–1618) | Edo period, 17th century | A-1372-3 | |||
| Highlight | 1st Scene of "The Tale of Shuten Dōji" | Muromachi period–Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th–17th century | Private collection | ||||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | The Illustrated Tale of the Earth Spider (Tsuchigumo) | Kamakura period, 14th century | A-18 | |||
| Highlight | The Illustrated Tale of the Samurai Watanabe no Tsuna | Muromachi period, 16th century | A-942 | First exhibition rotation through Oct 19, second exhibition rotation from Oct 21. | |||
| Highlight | Warrior Trampling on a Demon's Head | By Torii Kiyomasu (dates unknown) | Edo period, 18th century | A-10569-423 | On exhibit through October 19, 2025 | ||
| Highlight | Allusion to the Heroes of "The Tale of Shuten Dōji" | By Kitagawa Utamaro (possibly 1753–1806) | Edo period, 18th century | A-10569-1919 | On exhibit from October 21, 2025 | ||
| Highlight | Allusion to the Heroes of "The Tale of Shuten Dōji" | By Kitagawa Utamaro (possibly 1753–1806) | Edo period, 18th century | A-10569-1920 | On exhibit from October 21, 2025 | ||
| Highlight | Allusion to the Heroes of "The Tale of Shuten Dōji" | By Kitagawa Utamaro (possibly 1753–1806) | Edo period, 18th century | A-10569-1921 | On exhibit from October 21, 2025 | ||
| Sakata no Kintoki Dreaming about His Childhood | By Torii Kiyonaga (1752–1815) | Edo period, 18th century | A-10569-1195 | On exhibit from October 21, 2025 | |||
| Kintarō | By Katsukawa Shun'ei (1762–1819) | Edo period, 18th century | A-10569-4171 | On exhibit from October 21, 2025 |