Vintage Japanese Sea Monster 海坊主, 国芳 Postcard

The Sea Monk (Umibozu) is a sea monster with a smooth round head, like the shaven head of a Buddhist monk. This print illustrates the story of the sailor Kawanaya Tokuzo, who decides to go to sea on the last day of the year, which other sailors consider unlucky. A violent storm breaks out, and the Umi Bozu appears. In a ghastly voice the apparition demands, ""Name the most horrible thing you know!"" Tokuzo yells back, ""My profession is the most horrible thing I know!"" The monster is apparently satisfied with this answer and disappears along with the storm. Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861) was one of the last great masters of the Japanese ukiyo-e style of woodblock prints and painting. He is associated with the Utagawa school. Issued around 1845.