This tanzaku artwork by Kotaro Yamada reimagines the traditional Setsubun talisman Hiiragi-Iwashi as a powerful, imaginary creature.
Rendered in vivid red and black pointillism, the fish appears as both protector and predator — a being that devours misfortune before it reaches the home.
The red character 魔 (ma, “demon”) and the red seal-stenciled 除 (jo, “ward off”) frame the composition, invoking the folk belief of mayoke, the expulsion of evil.
Created with fountain pen dots, felt-tip accents, and bold structural lines, this piece radiates dynamic energy and ceremonial intensity.
A contemporary reinterpretation of an age-old custom, it merges folklore with disciplined technique on a Japanese tanzaku shikishi board.
Demon-Eating Fish — Hiiragi-Iwashi I (Red Invocation)
Medium: Fountain pen, felt-tip pen, colored ballpoint pen, and sumi ink on tanzaku shikishi board
Dimensions: 36.5 × 7.5 cm (approx. 14.4 × 3.0 in)
Signed with seal: Yes
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