Musha Doll Representing Shoki - Shōwa Era (1926-1989).

JAPAN - Shōwa era (1926-1989). Musha doll depicting Shoki, head and hands in polychrome wood, silk clothing with geometric patterns, straight sword, metal blade. Dimensions: 26 x 16.2 x 11 cm Sold with its storage box. Dimensions of the storage box: 30 x 18.5 x 13 cm. Notes: One day, while sleeping soundly, Genso-kotei has a horrible nightmare. He dreams that he is thrown to the ground by a horde of small demons straight out of hell. One of them, climbing on his back, hits him with a flute he had stolen from Yokihi, the emperor's favorite concubine. Having reached this point in his dream, the emperor sees a bearded giant appear who immediately disperses the demons tormenting him, killing some of them, driving others away, or simply making those that still remain disappear. The giant introduces himself to him under the name of Shoki (Chang Kuo), who lived about a hundred years ago, during the reign of Emperor Koso. He committed suicide by smashing his skull against a rock for disobeying his emperor: twice, he failed to show up for the official position Koso had assigned him. Moved by his gesture of despair, the emperor grants him a state funeral with all the honors due to a minister of state (a position Shoki should have held during his lifetime). Filled with gratitude, the good giant's soul decides to protect Koso's descendants from now on. Upon awakening, Genso-kotei summons the country's finest painter and orders him to paint Shoki's portrait according to his description. Copies of this work are distributed throughout the empire, showing Shoki taming demons. These portraits are exported to Japan, where they become very popular. In that country, Shoki is considered the tamer and exterminator of all kinds of demons.