The “Demon Back” of Baki’s Yujiro Hanma inspires $10,000 folding screen crafted by Japanese artisans
A new collaboration has been announced that combines the world of the brutal fighting manga series Baki the Grappler and traditional Japanese crafts.
The collaboration has led to the creation of the “Baki Byōbu,” a special-edition “byōbu,” or traditional folding screen, decorated with iconic art from the manga.
The screens are being released to commemorate the “Keisuke Itagaki Baki Series Original Art Exhibition,” which is currently being held at the Kyoto International Manga Museum.
The screens are being produced by Kataoka Byōbu-ten, a specialty shop in Tokyo that has been hand-crafting traditional folding screens for three generations, since 1946.
In a comment, the company’s CEO, Takato Kataoka, stated, “We believe that by fusing the traditional art of the byōbu with Japan’s world-famous manga and anime, we can open up new possibilities for this tradition.”
The new collection features three different screens, all of which depict the famous “Demon Back” of the series’ “strongest creature on Earth,” Yujiro Hanma, during his “ultimate father-son-quarrel” with the protagonist, Baki.
The lineup is as follows:
- “Demon Back” Large Gold Screen
- Price: ¥1,000,000 (approx. $6736 USD/£5017 GBP)
A massive, 2.3 by 1.7-meter gold-leaf screen depicting Yujiro’s iconic “Demon Back.”
- “Demon Back” Gold Screen (Miniature)
- Price: ¥15,000 (approx. $101 USD/£75 GBP)
A smaller, replica version of the same Yujiro “Demon Back” design.
- “Demon Back” Silver Screen (Miniature)
- Price: ¥15,000 (approx. $101 USD/£75 GBP)
A miniature, silver-leaf screen depicting Yujiro’s back as he faces Baki’s “Triceratops Fist” attack.
The screens are all made-to-order products that can be purchased through the official “Baki Byōbu” website.
A limited, in-person sale of five of each of the miniature screens is also being held at the art exhibition at the Kyoto International Manga Museum.
The art exhibition is currently running until the 23rd of September, 2025 and more details can be found on its official website.
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