psychopomp

/ˈsʌɪkə(ʊ)pɒmp/

noun

1. (in Greek mythology) a guide of souls to the place of the dead.

   • the spiritual guide of a living person's soul.

     "a psychopomp figure who stays by her and walks in her dreams"

THIS IS SHINIGAMI; JAPANESE DEATH DEITY WHO INVITES HUMANS TOWARD DEATH THROUGH SUICIDE, SPECIFICALLY BY HANGING. SHINIGAMI IS DEPICTED AS A MUTE PAPER SELLER. IN TEXTS THE SHINIGAMI COMMUNICATES BY POSSESSING ONES THOUGHTS RATHER THHAN THROUGH SPEECH AND SO IS OFTEN DEPICTED AS HAVING WRITTEN ONTO THE PARCHMENT THEY ARE SELLING TO ENTICE THE LIVING TO DIE. THE SHINIGAMI CAN ALSO BE CONSIDERED A MOMENTO MORI; A REMINDER TO THE LIVING OF THE FLEETINGNESS OF LIFE.

THIS ORIGINAL GRAPHITE, WATERCOLOUR AND METALLIC INK PAINTING IS A3 BUT COMES FRAMED WITH MOUNT IN AN A2 FRAME. 42 X 67CMS READY TO HANG.

THIS PAINTING IS NOW SOLD. HOWEVER, YOU CAN FIND PRINTS IN THE PRINTS SECTION OF MY WEBSITE.