The Good, The Bad and The Oni
by Ari Murasaka
Ugly Shoki yearned for a career in the exciting industry of fashion, but his unattractiveness and weight problem made it seem impossible – until the day he landed a job at a prestigious fashion magazine.
Wait…that’s Ugly Betty.
Oddly enough, the T’ang Dynasty physician, and the 21st century TV character, share many similarities. Both are unattractive, which stands in the way of their dreams. Both become successful through the intervention of a powerful person. And in a fit of utter despair, both commit suicide...er, that's Ugly Shoki.
Shoki is the Japanese name of a Chinese scholar from the province of Shensi. His original name was Chung Kuei (an unfortunate choice considering his weight problem) and his one goal in life was to be a physician in the Royal Court.
He failed – and therein lies the tale. Or more accurately, tales.
In one version, Chung Kuei passes the exams at the top of his class, but Emperor Xuanzong rejects him for being too ugly. Humiliated, Chunk Kuei commits suicide in front of the emperor causing him to belatedly realize that ugly people have feelings too. In remorse he orders a royal burial. Chung Kuei’s spirit, grateful for the funeral (and magnanimously forgiving the cause) repays Xuanzong by guarding him and his kingdom from evil spirits.
Another version declares that while Chung Kuei’s desire to be a physician is great, his talent is not. He fails his exams and commits suicide. Xuanzong, hearing of this dedication, gives him the posthumous degree of “Doctor of Zhongnanshan.” A delighted Chung Kuei appears to the emperor in a dream and promises to protect him from evil spirits.
In yet another version, Chung Kuei again fails the exams and commits suicide. Later, when Xuanzong becomes ill, Chung Kuei appears to him in a dream and earns the emperor’s gratitude by slaying the spirits responsible for the disease.
From his origins in the 7th or 8th century, Chung Kuei’s reputation spread throughout China. In the early 17th century he crossed over to Japan where he was known as Shoki the Demon Queller. During the Boy’s Day Festival, families began hanging pictures of him for protection. In these pictures, he is typically depicted as a heavy-set man with large eyes, a beard and a fierce expression. His garment consists of scholar’s robes, a hat, and heavy knee-high boots. In his hand he carries a sword which he uses to threaten the evil spirits known as Oni.
Oni are human shaped, but can be identified by their horns, sharp nails and three eyes. The Chinese Chung Kuei kills them, but Japanese Shoki appears to have gained a more enlightened approach and “quells” them instead. Once quelled, the Oni become allies aiding him in his battle against evil.
Such is Shoki. A fat man with a beard, hat and boots, assisted by non-human helpers. A special friend to children whose image appears all over the country on a certain day of the year.
Wait…who is it we’re talking about again?
Sources:
Shoki and Oni
Oni - The Obakemono Project
Painting of Shoki (upper right) by Zen monk Hakuin Ekaku (1685–1768)
Shoki and Oni illustration courtesy of the Asian Art Mall
Photo of Chinese Opera Shoki
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