Laughing demon

The "Laughing Demon" is a captivating Ukiyo-e woodblock print from Katsushika Hokusai's mythological painting series "One Hundred Ghost Stories," created around 1830. Despite his fame for landscapes, Hokusai also delved into supernatural themes rooted in Edo-period superstitions, illustrating scenes from popular ghost stories performed during the Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai game. The print masterfully captures a yokai—a supernatural demon—often shown with an exaggerated, joyful expression that underscores the blend of humor and horror characteristic of ghost tales. As part of this rare series, the "Laughing Demon" exemplifies his fascination with mythological motifs within the broader Ukiyo-e tradition.