Faces That Can Be Inverted

(Jôge-e, 上下絵)

Below are two separate series of prints with faces or masks that transform into different faces when viewed upside-down. These are known as joge-e (上下絵, two-way pictures) or as ue-shita-e (upside-down faces). Each print is shown upright (based upon signature and seals) and rotated 180 degrees. Neither series is listed in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961). The prints are each about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban.

Series: Upside-down Faces (Ue-shita-e, 上下絵)

Description:

Left column top to bottom: tengu, Nyudo, Onamuchi-no-mikoto, Center column: Zhou, tenju, Cao Cao Right column: Wind god, Tofu Kozo, Mikenja

Left column top to bottom: Mirin’s ghost, Mitsume Kozo, Thunder god Center column: Zhang Fei, tengu, Guan Yu Right column: Iruka-no-omi, frogs, a gedo (伊久, evil person)

Date: c. 1842

Publisher: Ezaki-ya Tatsuzô

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.

Series: Upside-down Faces (Ue-shita-e, 上下絵)

Description:

Date: c. 1842

Publisher: Ezaki-ya Tatsuzô

Series: Double-sided Pictures (両面相)

Description:

A gedo (伊久, an evil person, top) and Ikyu (だるま, bottom)

Daruma (げどふ, top) and Tokusakari (とくさかり, bottom)

Date: 1849-1850

Publisher: Izutsu-ya Shôkichi (井筒)

Series: Double-sided Pictures (両面相)

Description:

Hotei (ほてい, top) and Shoki (せうき, bottom)

Zhang Fei (張飛, top) and Asahina (あさひな, bottom)

Date: 1849-1850

Publisher: Izutsu-ya Shôkichi (井筒)

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