Shōkera, named plate by Toriyama Sekien
Printed name せうけら and complete composition individually inspected at enlarged resolution. Actual URL copied from the IIIF manifest.
Overview
Shōkera crouches on a tiled roof, its long clawed limbs braced around a rectangular opening. The creature has a hunched back, a large dark mouth and a face turned toward the gap beneath it. Rows of tiles and curved roof ridges make the structure unusually detailed. Trees, fencing and another gabled roof occupy the background. The creature’s position brings its body into close contact with the building rather than placing it in a separate wilderness.
The phonetic title せうけら supplies the name. The visible composition makes roof access and downward attention central to the portrayal. A room below the opening is not shown, so the identity of any occupant or an alleged victim cannot be established from this page. The claws and compressed posture nevertheless give the figure a clear visual identity within Sekien’s collection.
Origins & earliest records
Toriyama Sekien includes the named illustration in Gazu Hyakki Yagyō, first published in 1776. The inspected Smithsonian Libraries copy is the 1805 edition; publication is distinguished from the age of an oral tradition.
Records & interpretation
Printed title and composition individually inspected at enlarged resolution in the institutional digitization. Observations describe the historical image rather than an uncited encounter story.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Gazu Hyakki Yagyō
Volume 3; IIIF canvas index 7 (zero-based); printed name せうけら.
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
Gazu Hyakki Yagyō
Volume 3; Smithsonian Libraries 1805 edition. IIIF canvas index 7 (zero-based)
Printed name せうけら and complete composition individually inspected at enlarged resolution. Actual URL copied from the IIIF manifest.
Encyclopedia background
An additional attributed reference, separate from the editorial profile above.
Read the open encyclopedia overview
The Shōkera (しょうけら; lit. Mole Cricket Spirit) is a Japanese yōkai found in Edo Period yōkai emaki such as, the Hyakkai Zukan and the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō. They can also be written しゃうけら, せうけら, as well as 精螻蛄.
Text from Wikipedia contributors, “Shōkera”. CC BY-SA 4.0. Extracted introduction; formatting changed. Retrieved 5 October 2026. The source article may have changed since retrieval.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Institutional primary-book recordSmithsonian Libraries — historical illustrated volumeResearch access: 2026-10-05
- Direct primary illustrationNamed primary plate: せうけらResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical illustrationShōkera, named plate by Toriyama Sekien
Printed name せうけら and complete composition individually inspected at enlarged resolution. Actual URL copied from the IIIF manifest.
