Demon-Eating Fish — Hiiragi-Iwashi III (Joyful Guardian)
Painted in bright yellow acrylic, a hue associated in Japanese culture with “kishoku” (喜色), the color of joy, this fish embodies both protection and auspiciousness.
After laying the painted foundation, Kotaro Yamada added hand-drawn outlines and detailing with pen, giving the creature a lively presence that feels both folkloric and contemporary.
The energetic interplay of green and yellow evokes a talisman charged not only with defensive power but also with good fortune. As in the other works, the red stenciled characters 魔 and 除 form the symbolic axis of the composition, speaking directly to the piece’s conceptual roots in Setsubun ritual.
A dynamic artwork ideal for collectors seeking a protective charm expressed through modern artistic language.
Medium: Fountain pen, felt-tip pen, colored ballpoint pen, and acrylic on tanzaku shikishi board
Dimensions: 36.5 × 7.5 cm (approx. 14.4 × 3.0 in)
Signed with seal: Yes






