Otafuku being carried across a river on the back of a blue oni

This delightfully odd scene shows Otafuku, a round-faced woman from Japanese folklore known for bringing good luck, getting a piggyback ride across a stream from a blue demon called an oni. The contrast is wonderfully absurd: her pale, cheerful face and richly patterned kimono perched atop this muscular blue creature with wild hair and tiger-striped pants. A red oni splashes playfully in the water nearby while small creatures scatter about, adding to the chaotic energy of the scene. Kawanabe Kyosai, the 19th-century artist behind this work, was famous for his irreverent humor and extraordinary skill. He could paint serious Buddhist subjects one day and ridiculous scenes like this the next, often while drinking heavily. His playful approach to traditional Japanese painting made him both controversial and beloved. The image captures that characteristic Kyosai spirit: technically masterful but never taking itself too seriously, finding comedy in the unexpected pairing of folklore's luckiest lady and one of its most fearsome monsters.