# A demon as a mendicant monk

- By: Kawanabe Kyôsai (Furukawa, 1831–1889)
- Date: 1850 - 1889
- Medium: paper, ink
- Classification: hanging scroll
- Dimensions: diameter 26 mm
- Credit line: Gift of Milne Henderson Fine Art Ltd, London
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/AK-RAK-2000-14--4f607032b63e37f82dd27628b4d74ae8)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://iiif.micr.io/MFygY/full/!1869,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Teens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

A demon dressed as a mendicant monk is travelling to collect money for a temple, while calling on Buddha Amida in a loud voice. He is striking a wooden gong to announce his arrival. The motif is a metaphor for Buddhism’s power to save: even demons can change their ways. Although this depiction is probably an ironic portrayal of insincerity and pretended piety.