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Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre is a woodblock print by the Japanese artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861), who was especially renowned for his depictions of historical and mythical scenes. This print portrays tenth-century princess Takiyasha summoning a skeleton spectre to frighten Mitsukuni.<br/><br/> The princess is reciting a spell written on a handscroll. She summons up a giant skeleton which comes rearing out of a terrifying black void, crashing its way through the tattered palace blinds with its bony fingers to menace Mitsukuni and his companion. Princess Takiyasha was the daughter of the provincial warlord Taira no Masakado who tried to set up an 'Eastern Court' in Shimōsa Province, in competition with the emperor in Kyōto. However, his rebellion was put down in the year 939 and Masakado was killed.<br/><br/> After his death, Princess Takiyasha continued living in the ruined palace of Sōma. This print shows the episode from the legend when the emperor's official, Ōya no Mitsukuni, comes to search for surviving conspirators.
Takiyasha-hime, whose name translates as 'waterfall demon princess' was the daughter of Taira-no-Masakado, a samurai who had risen up in a rebellion against the emperor and tried to set up his own court before being killed in 939 CE. Takiyasha survived the purge that followed, along with her brother Satsuki-hime, and the two of them began plotting their revenge, learning frog magic on Mount Tsukuba.<br/><br/> They returned to the ruined family fortress of Soma Castle in Shimosa province, and began rebuilding their forces, bolstered by Takiyasha's raised army of yokai (demons/spirits). However, they were eventually defeated by the efforts of the warrior Oya-no-Taro Mitsukuni. Mitsukini battled through Takiyasha's forces and eventually cut her down, ending her short rebellion before it could truly begin.<br/><br/> Takiyasha's story became popular during the Edo Period, and has been depicted in various novels, woodblock prints and <i>kabuki</i> dramas.
Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre is a woodblock print by the Japanese artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861), who was especially renowned for his depictions of historical and mythical scenes. This print portrays tenth-century princess Takiyasha summoning a skeleton spectre to frighten Mitsukuni.<br/><br/> The princess is reciting a spell written on a handscroll. She summons up a giant skeleton which comes rearing out of a terrifying black void, crashing its way through the tattered palace blinds with its bony fingers to menace Mitsukuni and his companion. Princess Takiyasha was the daughter of the provincial warlord Taira no Masakado who tried to set up an 'Eastern Court' in Shimōsa Province, in competition with the emperor in Kyōto. However, his rebellion was put down in the year 939 and Masakado was killed.<br/><br/> After his death, Princess Takiyasha continued living in the ruined palace of Sōma. This print shows the episode from the legend when the emperor's official, Ōya no Mitsukuni, comes to search for surviving conspirators.
In this scene from the Book of Samuel in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), the Witch of Endor summons the spirit of the recently deceased prophet Samuel at the request of Saul, the king of Israel.<br/><br/> King Saul had consulted the witch, often referred to as the Medium of Endor, on the eve of a battle with the Philistines. The witch summons Samuel who prophesizes that the Philistines will win the battle and that Saul’s sons will be killed. Saul is told he is being punished for turning his back on God. The prophesy comes true and Saul commits suicide by falling on his sword.