Aonyōbō

Overview

Aonyōbō sits before a suspended round mirror, dressed in patterned robes with a long train extending across the floor. Her head is turned toward the mirror, exposing a large rounded area of the forehead and dark hair gathered behind. One hand is raised near the face. A low decorated container holds small implements beside her, while vertical supports and hanging cords frame the mirror.

The heading 青女房 identifies this female apparition. The scene keeps its attention on courtly dress and personal grooming rather than an obvious attack. The patterned clothing, long train and carefully placed equipment create a distinctive interior portrait. Those visible details separate this representation from a generic ghost in white robes. The image supports the specific historical costume and activity shown; broader stories about abandoned palaces require separately checked narrative witnesses.

Origins & earliest records

Named illustration in Toriyama Sekien’s Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki, first published in 1779; inspected through the historical Smithsonian Libraries copy. This date identifies the book, not the beginning of every associated tradition.

Records & interpretation

Printed name and complete composition checked in an individually enlarged primary scan. Cursive explanatory text has not been fully transcribed.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki

   Toriyama Sekien · 1779; historical digitized edition

   Volume 2; IIIF canvas index 21 (zero-based); printed name 青女房.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Institutional primary-book recordSmithsonian Libraries — historical illustrated volumeResearch access: 2026-10-05
2. Direct primary illustrationNamed primary plate: 青女房Research access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

Aonyōbō, named plate by Toriyama Sekien

Printed name 青女房 and composition individually checked at enlarged resolution; explanatory cursive text not fully transcribed.