Apparition of the Spider Princess

Print 6-11, Kiseido Publishing; Tokyo Japan

Oban diptych by Yoshitoshi Tsukioka, published by Kobayashi Tetsujiro in1886.

Sakata no Kintoki, one of Raiko's retainers, has been dozing with his head on the go board. He suspiciously opens his eyes as a seductive woman -- actually an apparition created by the Ground Spider -- glides by on her errand of mischief. An unusual conception showing Yoshitoshi's fresh approach to traditional themes.