Fuji Musume - [Yokai | Charm]

Fuji Musume - 藤娘 - [Yokai | Charm] - aka "Wisteria Maiden" "Wisteria Spirit"

• About this Yokai: The spirit of blossoming wisteria tree, dressed in a long colorful kimono; wearing a large black-lacquered bamboo umbrella-hat and carrying a beautiful branch of Wisteria over her shoulder. 

• History: At its earliest, the Wisteria Maiden began as a subject of Ōtsu-e prints; a type of souvenir print that was sold along the Tokkaido Road at Ōtsu station, Lake Biwa since the 1700's [X] - These prints where simplistic (but very elegant) & produced rapidly so that families could produce them quickly by hand and have many ready for sale, some are pointed social commentary, while others are supposed to be cute or even just pretty. Ōtsu would become a famous crossroad for various religious sects, travellers & trade to the capital in kyoto, so these type of prints travelled far and wide as souvenirs! By the late edo period these prints started to be sold as travelling charms: Fuji-Musume in particularly was sold as a charm "for a good marriage." - 

[an example of the otsu-e charms, source: kuniyoshi project, more here.]

Overtime, The Wisteria maiden prints eventually inspired a famous kabuki dance called "哥へす哥へす余波大津繪" originally performed as one in a series of five dances which where gradually lost over time. - The performance was first produced in 1826 (Edo period), by Seki Sanjuro II. - It was originally without a supernatural back story; but In 1937 (Showa period.) the famous actor, Onoe Kikugoro VI famously changed the story in his performances (1937-1949) to be about a female wisteria spirit. His performance renewed interest in both the dance as well as the prints. His story became commonplace and even today is one of the most popular Kabuki dances still performed in modern times. - (watch a performance of it on youtube here, you can also find a few Kikugoro as Fuji Musume portriaits over here.] - Kikugoros version of the story is usually described as follows:

 "The story begins in Ōtsu, an area in outside of Kyoto and around Lake Biwa. Ōtsu is a city famous for its paintings. People would stroll its art-lined streets, viewing the beauty of the artisans works.

One painting in particular, that of the wisteria maiden, caught the eye of a male passerby. As he gazed upon the painting, the Wisteria Maiden became infatuated. So infatuated in fact, that she came to life, stepping out of the painting. The maiden is dressed in long flowing kimono; black-lacquered bamboo hat and carrying a beautiful branch of fuji (wisteria). She writes beautiful, heartfelt letters to her love. The letters however go unanswered.

The story continues on as she dances under the pine tree entangled in wisteria. [The wisteria being An old symbol used in waka poetry for the Fujiwara clan and its trusting relationship with the imperial court, the evergreen pine.] The dancer expresses the emotions found in unrequited love in the manner of women of the Edo era (1603-1868). Eventually, sadness and despair take over our maiden and, heartbroken, she returns to the painting. Her return to the painting remains the last pose of the dance." - [Gabi Greve, 2007]

Earlier, in 1847, Utagawa Kiyoshi [Perhaps better known among yokai enthusiasts today as the artist behind the famous Giant Skeleton Painting.] also famously depicted the Ōtsu-e characters "Coming to life" [below] - Kiyoshi would also famously go onto include the characters in many of his other prints. - Though its hard to say with certainty; perhaps this inspired Onoes idea for the later performance?

[Fujimusume and others surround a faceless artist & cat. Kiyoshis print. 1847. ]

Similar to this, across various paintings, Fuji-musume is often depicted & paired along side other Otsu-e & 'charm famous' lucky characters, such as; the redeemed-demon-turned-Buddhist-in-training Oni no kannebutsu [x],  Benkei,[x] occasionally; Fukusuke [x] & even the Shichifukujin. [x] The costume is also a popular subject for many vintage dolls.

• See also: Oni no Kannebutsu, Benkei-namazu, Japanese Folktoys & Charms.

[Sticker art and bio by @samkalensky part of my folktoys of japan, series follow and support for many more!] - PS: for those wondering why I havent made a wisteria bonsai yet; for now due to time restraints, i'll just say its 'coming soon' along with the ginko tree too. ;)