Daikoku and Shoki Playing Chess - Okumura Toshinobu

A classic Ukiyo-e woodblock print depicting the deity Daikoku and the demon queller Shoki engaged in a game of go.

This woodblock print by Okumura Toshinobu depicts a lighthearted encounter between two figures from Japanese folklore: Daikoku, the deity of wealth, and Shoki, the demon queller. The two are engaged in a game of go, a strategic board game, within a domestic interior. Daikoku is recognisable by his characteristic hood and the large sack of treasures resting behind him, while Shoki is portrayed with his traditional wild hair and stern expression.

The work is an example of urushi-e, or lacquer print, a style popular during the early eighteenth century. These prints were often hand-coloured, though this particular impression remains in its monochrome state, allowing the clarity of the line work to take precedence. Toshinobu, a member of the Okumura school, employed a precise, calligraphic style that defines the contours of the figures and the geometric pattern of the floor tiles.

The composition is balanced, with the go board serving as the central point of interaction between the two mythological figures. The architectural elements, such as the sliding screens and the raised platform, provide a sense of spatial depth despite the two-dimensional nature of the medium. The artist captures a moment of quiet concentration, contrasting the domestic setting with the supernatural identities of the participants. This print reflects the playful approach to religious and folkloric subjects common in the Edo period, where deities were frequently depicted in mundane, human-like activities. The work demonstrates the technical skill of early Ukiyo-e artists in managing line weight and composition to create narrative clarity within a limited visual space.