Monkey and Crab Japanese Folklore Mythology Fable Tale | Keisai Eisen Edo Period Vintage Woodblock Fine Art Print Legend and once it is awakened

and once it is awakened

The story of Jiraiya revolves around his epic battle against his arch-nemesis

giving the impression of someone not of this world

Those who were unfortunate enough to come under its power would suffer from terror and despair

The print is full of humor and wit

Monkey and Crab Japanese Folklore Mythology Fable Tale | Keisai Eisen Edo Period Vintage Woodblock Fine Art Print Legend and once it is awakenedThis surimono print references a well known Japanese folktale in which a monkey takes advantage of a crab, claiming that persimmon seeds will grow into a fruit prodicing tree. The persimmons eventually ripen, and the monkey offers to pick them for the crab, only to eat them himself. In a fit of aggression, the monkey throws an unripe persimmon at the crab, fatally injuring her. Before the crab dies, she gives birth to offspring, who eventually grow up