Religion and Humor in Early Modern Japanese Graphic Narrative Kibyōshi

Co-sponsored with the Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies

The depiction of religious figures in a humorous manner for entertainment purposes is prevalent in modern Japan. This cultural practice is often explained within the context of Japanese attitudes towards religion after the Meiji Restoration. Nevertheless, when examining the historical use of religious figures in entertainment, it becomes clear that this playful engagement with religious imagery has deeper roots that date back to premodern times. This talk examines the relationship between religion and humor in early modern Japan, specifically through the lens of kibyōshi—a genre of playful graphic narratives that flourished during the Edo period from 1775 to 1806. Through a combination of visual and textual analyses, I observed that kibyōshi authors cleverly employed religious icons to satirize religious practices, comment on contemporary social issues, convey moral lessons, and simultaneously bless the readers. These findings highlight the complex dynamics of the materiality of religions, the publishing industry, and the social environments of the time, offering a fascinating look at how religion and humor intertwined in Japan’s cultural history.