Japanese woodblock print set: “A Didactic Mirror of Good and Evil” by Shosai Ikkei. Each print is ‘chuban’ size. In each pair, one print shows the influence of good, and the other evil: drinking, prostitutes, borrowing money, etc. as opposed to frugality, abstinence, working hard, etc. A rare set of prints used to teach morality. The small white and red figures represent good and evil souls (Zendama and Akudama figures).

Scholar Jann Williams noted that, “This information from the Lavenberg Collection of Japanese Prints may help James. It notes that the small white and red figures represent good and evil souls (Zendama and Akudama figures). A 2017 article by Takashi Miura about their use in kibyoshi links the small figures to Shingaku teaching – the noble way of Confucius, Buddha and Kami. This is no doubt one small piece of the puzzle but provides an entry point.”