Pepe’s Night Parade of One Hundred Demons

This work reimagines the classic Hyakki Yagyō, the legendary “Night Parade of One Hundred Demons” from Edo-period folklore, by inserting Pepe as a calm, near-amused participant among Japan’s most iconic yōkai. The composition echoes traditional ukiyo-e depictions by artists such as Toriyama Sekien, employing the same earthy pigments, textured paper, and flattened nocturnal palette typical of late-Edo supernatural prints. Surrounding Pepe are familiar spirits: a skeletal revenant, a hitotsume ghost, a yūrei with flowing black hair, a kasa-obake with its long tongue, a bakeneko, and an oni-like creature. Each figure retains the exaggerated expressiveness and playful menace characteristic of Edo yōkai art. Pepe’s presence—dressed in a simple yukata and carrying a warm lantern—creates a humorous contrast to the eerie procession, transforming what was traditionally a parade of terror into a surreal, almost festive nocturnal gathering. The piece pays homage to the Edo fascination with the supernatural while blending it with contemporary pop-iconography