“One-Legged Umbrella Monster” (Kasa ippon ashi)

“One-Legged Umbrella Monster” (Kasa ippon ashi)

Gosōtei Hirosada 五粽亭広貞

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

An unidentified Kabuki actor, perhaps Onoe Tamizo II, performs the role of the One-Legged Umbrella Monster. This delightful apparition is a type of “artifact spirit” (tsukumogami), referring to everyday objects or tools such as umbrellas, brooms, lanterns, sandals, or pots, that turn into ghosts or monsters after they are no longer used. They tend to be more mischievous than evil. When taking on this role, the actor would tie up one leg and hop around on stage.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

“One-Legged Umbrella Monster” (Kasa ippon ashi)“One-Legged Umbrella Monster” (Kasa ippon ashi)“One-Legged Umbrella Monster” (Kasa ippon ashi)“One-Legged Umbrella Monster” (Kasa ippon ashi)“One-Legged Umbrella Monster” (Kasa ippon ashi)

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.