This illustration is a part of a collection of five different illustrated stories revolving around myths, legends or folktales from different parts of the world. Serving as my Senior Exhibition Showcase in April 2024, the goal of this assignment was to bring attention to lesser known tales from other places, often over looked or deprived of mainstream attention. The name of the Collection, “The Not Quite Human Collection” services as a hint to the plot of each tale.
Traditional Illustration/ Sketch
Illustrated Poster, Digital Portrait, Project design
The story of The Vampire Cat of Nabeshima or also known as The Vampire Cat, is a Japanese story about a Prince named Hizen and O Toyo, one of his ladies. His favorite lady in fact, a charming and beautiful young woman, whom no one could compare to. In the story, the Prince and O Toyo were in the garden enjoying the flowers and sunset before making their way back to the palace. This was unfortunate because both the Prince and O Toyo failed to notice an abnormally large demon cat following them. When they separated for the night O Toyo went to her room and fell asleep only to be woken up hours later by the creature in her room, waiting. When she tried to scream it attacked, sinking its teeth in her throat resulting in her suffocating. The cat dug a grave under the porch to hide her body which allowed it to take her form to prey on the prince, drinking his blood over a long period of time. Ultimately, he grew very ill and nearly died as a result.
With the prince near death’s door, everyone in the palace started to panic. No one could figure out what was leading the prince to his demise. Servants, guards and officials alike were left clueless as to how close the cause for his ailment was. The Vampire cat stayed close at all times, feigning concern and sympathy for her beloved Prince, doting on him day and mostly, night. Almost every night the cat visited the prince resulting in a worsening condition, he kept growing weaker and weaker from the long-term blood loss. Using demonic magic, every guard and official who tried to stay up all night in an attempt to monitor the condition of the Prince was put to sleep so the beast could lay waste to the prince in private. No one questioned anything, until a man named Itô Sôda came along. Itô Sôda was determined to find the cause of the prince’s illness. He stabbed himself to avoid falling asleep like the rest, which allowed him to see the truth, that “O Toyo” was a demon. Because of him the prince was saved and the demon was killed. However, it is unlikely the body of poor O Toyo was ever recovered, if she was it was never mentioned.