Ibaraki, Shibata Zeshin, c. 1840, Cleveland Museum of Art: Japanese Art

In 1840 Shibata Zeshin was commissioned by an association of sugar wholesalers to paint an ema, a votive tablet, to be dedicated to the Shinto shrine Oji Inari in the city of Edo (now Tokyo). This sketch is thought to be a preparatory drawing for the tablet. It depicts the demon Ibaraki, who resided in the Rashomon Gate, the southern gate of Heian-kyo (now Kyoto), rescuing its arm from the warrior Minamoto no Yorimitsu (948-1021). Yorimitsu had ordered it cut off by Watanabe no Tsuna (953-1025). Having disguised itself as Yorimitsu’s aunt to gain access to its severed limb, Ibaraki is in the midst of transforming back into demon form. Size: Overall: 214.6 x 195.5 cm (84 ½ x 76 15/16 in.); Mounted: 205.2 x 185.2 cm (80 13/16 x 72 15/16 in.); Painting only: 161 x 172.2 cm (63 3/8 x 67 13/16 in.) Medium: hanging scroll, ink on paper

A small and fine lacquer Suzuribako decorated with resting cranes, the interior lacquered with stylized cloud formations, and a beautifully chiseled banana leaf water dropper with a snail. The rims in silver, and signed Shisendo on the storage box. Brandt Asian Art