Uwan

Overview

Uwan raises its arms above a low wall beneath drooping willow branches. A large round face with staring eyes and a wide, toothed mouth dominates the figure. Loose robes surround its upper body, and one claw-like hand projects in front of the foliage. The wall is carefully drawn in horizontal strokes. Broken or scattered objects lie among grasses at ground level, creating a setting that differs from a tidy occupied interior.

The name is printed phonetically as うわん. The open mouth and lifted arms suggest a forceful appearance, but the page contains no written sound transcription within the scene beyond its title. Calling the figure a named apparition is therefore better supported than reconstructing a particular shout, encounter or consequence. The willow and wall give this representation a recognizable visual setting.

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.

1. 01

   Gazu Hyakki Yagyō

   Toriyama Sekien · 1776; inspected 1805 edition

   Volume 3; IIIF canvas index 20 (zero-based); printed name うわん.

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: うわんResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

Uwan, named plate by Toriyama Sekien

Printed name うわん and complete composition individually inspected at enlarged resolution. Actual URL copied from the IIIF manifest.