Postcards by Yotsume

These postcards were designed by Toyokazu Ono at his Yotsume dye studio. The first design shows the distinctive ‘oni’ (demon) masks worn during the Shujō Onie festival in Kunisaki, Oita. The deep forests in Kunisaki have a spiritual association, and the region is known for its unusual festivals of uncertain origin. One element within them, is a positive view of oni, which differs to much of the rest of Japan. Demons in Kunisaki can be your friend, and the festivals held for the lunar new year, summon friendly oni with masks of consistent design for the roughly 1300 years the events have been taking place. The other design here, is of a more familiar Japanese staple.