Netsuke of a Standing Demon (Oni)

This demon is depicted in the typical robes of a Buddhist monk. Just as Buddhist believers strive to overcome their own inner obstacles on the path to enlightenment, demons dressed as monks can symbolize the inner struggle individuals face in overcoming their own afflictions. This imagery serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle between wholesome and unwholesome qualities within the mind.

In Buddhist thought, every being has a chance for redemption, even demons and people in hell. By representing a demon as a Buddhist monk, the sculptor of this netsuke may have made a playful work with a deeper meaning. Is it comical, perhaps poking fun at Buddhist monks? Or could it symbolize the transformative power of Buddhism in achieving spiritual awakening and overcoming negative tendencies, even for demons?