the shoki lore.
FOR A SAFE HAVEN
The legend of Shoki, originating in 8th-century China as Zhong Kui, tells the story of a dedicated medical student who, despite excelling in his studies, faces rejection from the emperor due to his fearsome appearance. Disheartened, Shoki takes his own life. In a twist of fate, the emperor falls gravely ill and is tormented by demonic entities representing his sickness. Shoki, appearing in the emperor's dream, defeats the demons and brings healing. Deeply moved, the emperor orders an image of Shoki, now a revered demon hunter, to be painted for protection against diseases. To this day, numerous Japanese households continue to display the Shoki mask as a guardian deity to safeguard their families from both demons and illnesses.
