Suzuhiko-hime

Overview

Suzuhiko-hime is represented by a formally clothed figure standing on a small railed platform. A cluster of round bells replaces the face, attached to a curved stem or handle above the neck. One hand extends outward from a wide sleeve, while the garment’s repeated geometric patterns and layered edges give the posture ceremonial weight. Trees and hanging paper shapes complete the background.

The printed title 鈴彦姫 names this bell-derived character. The image combines an instrument used in ritual settings with a human dancer’s body and costume, rather than showing a separate animal carrying bells. Those elements provide a specific illustrated witness to animation and performance. A full claim about the deity served, exact ceremony or narrative origin would depend on closer textual evidence; it is not supplied by visual resemblance alone.

Origins & earliest records

Toriyama Sekien, Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro, first published 1784; volume 3 named plate directly inspected in the Smithsonian digitization. The final colophon states Tenmei 4 (1784) and a Bunka 2 (1805) reprint.

Records & interpretation

Printed label 鈴彦姫 and composition directly checked against the enlarged plate. This is an illustrated object apparition; an independent local oral tradition is not assumed.

Selected bibliography

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

1. 01

   Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro

   Toriyama Sekien · 1784

   Volume 3; IIIF canvas index 6 (zero-based); HyakkitsurezureV3Tori_0007.jp2. This selected digitized copy includes later reprint information.

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 recordHyakki Tsurezure Bukuro — Smithsonian Libraries volume 3Research access: 2026-10-05
2. Primary illustrated plate / institutional digitizationSuzuhiko-hime (鈴彦姫) — exact inspected illustrationResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

Suzuhiko-hime, named plate by Toriyama Sekien

Printed label 鈴彦姫 directly inspected with the enlarged composition. A robed dancer with a clustered bell head appears in Sekien’s Suzuhiko-hime illustration. Exact URL copied from the returned manifest.