Osakabe-hime

Overview

Sekien labels this castle-associated figure 長壁. The creature appears as a seated, richly dressed person lifting several woven blinds above the head. Long hair and a wide, toothy expression contrast with the formal patterned robe. Small bats occupy the room: one flies before the wall, another spreads its wings near the floor, and a third sits beneath the garment's edge. Strong vertical wall panels frame the indoor encounter.

The plate establishes a particular illustrated form of the Osakabe subject, including its architectural setting and accompanying animals. It does not depict the entire castle or a named visitor. Stories about annual appearances, disguised age or specific historical meetings should be checked independently instead of being reconstructed from these room furnishings.

Origins & earliest records

Toriyama Sekien includes the named illustration in Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki, first published 1779. The inspected Smithsonian copy is a later historical edition; the first book appearance is not a claim of the earliest oral tradition.

Records & interpretation

Directly inspected historical illustration and printed name. Pictorial observations are distinguished from narrative claims that would require a separate checked text.

Selected bibliography

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

1. 01

   Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki

   Toriyama Sekien · 1779; later digitized edition

   Volume 1, IIIF canvas index 22 (zero-based); printed title 長壁 directly inspected.

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: 長壁Research access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

Osakabe-hime, named plate by Toriyama Sekien

Printed title長壁 and actual illustration inspected. Description records visible composition, not an unchecked translation of cursive text.