Chao Gai, the Pagoda-shifting Heavenly King - Incredible image of the warrior Chao Gai encountering demons as he carries a small pagoda to his village to deter evil spirits. A character in the classic Chinese novel "The Water Margin" (Suikoden in Japanese), Chao Gai earned the nickname the "Pagoda-shifting Heavenly King" after this event. He gripping the heavy stone pagoda in his hands, he looks up with a frown as several demons torment him. The giant monster at top leers and laughs as he points to his chest, opening his robe to reveal that his torso is composed of another hideous face. At right, a seated demon shrieks at the warrior as he clutches a snake to his chest, the serpent winding about his head. Another ghost behind him has a misshapen yellow face, with tiny arms emerging from its gray hair. At left, two other creatures peer around the edge of the pagoda. Chao Gai regards them sternly as he continues his task, wearing colorful exotic robes and red boots, a sword slung over his shoulder. A fantastic supernatural design, also in the collection of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Image Size - 13 1/2" x 8 7/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. A few wormholes, repaired. A few stains, slight creasing, slight rubbing near edges. Please see photos for details.