The artwork “Baku” by Katsushika Hokusai is an exemplary piece from the Ukiyo-e art movement, classified under the animal painting genre. Hokusai is renowned for his contributions to the Ukiyo-e style, a genre of Japanese woodblock prints and paintings that flourished during the Edo period.
In the artwork, the creature depicted possesses an imposing and mythological appearance. It is illustrated with considerable attention to texture and detail, particularly in the rendering of its fur. The Baku, according to Japanese folklore, is a chimera-like being that consumes dreams, particularly nightmares. The posture and expression of the Baku give it a sense of movement and power, with a somewhat menacing air that befits its role as a devourer of dreams. The delicate linework and monochromatic color scheme are characteristic of Hokusai’s skill in capturing both the physical form and the spiritual essence of his subjects. This piece likely served not only as an artistic endeavor but also as a cultural artifact, reflecting the beliefs and imagination of the time.
