Folk Life Collection

Friedrich Wilhelm Voight, 1910. Creator: Bain News Service
Friedrich Wilhelm Voight, 1910.

Friedrich Wilhelm Voight, 1910. Creator: Bain News Service
Friedrich Wilhelm Voight, 1910.

Portrait of a Lady, possibly Mrs Pigott of Chetwynd, late 18th century. Creator: Sir Joshua Reynolds
Portrait of a Lady, possibly Mrs Pigott of Chetwynd, late 18th century

Sketch for The Water Sprite, late 19th-early 20th century. Creator: Ernst Josephson
Sketch for The Water Sprite, late 19th-early 20th century

Kiso Komawakamaru Yoshinaka Conquering the Tengu, 1866. Creator: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Kiso Komawakamaru Yoshinaka Conquering the Tengu, 1866. Series: Beauty and Valor in the Novel Suikoden

Kintaro Riding the Carp, 1882. Creator: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Kintaro Riding the Carp, 1882. Series: Sketches by Yoshitoshi

AI IMAGE - Illustration of Robin Hood, 2023. Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - Illustration of Robin Hood, 2023. Legendary heroic outlaw from English folklore, featured in literature, theatre, and cinema

A Competition among Powerful Magicians, 1869. Creator: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
A Competition among Powerful Magicians, 1869

Girl in a Southern German Folk Costume, 19th century. Creator: Unknown
Girl in a Southern German Folk Costume, 19th century

Shiei Riding a Carp over the Sea, 1882. Creator: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Shiei Riding a Carp over the Sea, 1882. Series: Sketches by Yoshitoshi

Shoki Creeping Up on a Sleeping Demon, 1882. Creator: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Shoki Creeping Up on a Sleeping Demon, 1882. Series: Sketches by Yoshitoshi

Oniwakamaru Observing the Great Carp in the Pond, 10th month, 1889. Creator: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Oniwakamaru Observing the Great Carp in the Pond, 10th month, 1889. Series: New Forms of the Thirty-six Ghosts

Vill Vallareman (a Fairy Shepherd), 1910. Creator: John Bauer
Vill Vallareman (a Fairy Shepherd), 1910

Anthony Van Corlear, 1858. Creator: Charles Loring Elliott
Anthony Van Corlear, 1858

AI IMAGE - Illustration of Robin Hood, 2023. Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - Illustration of Robin Hood, 2023. Legendary heroic outlaw from English folklore, featured in literature, theatre, and cinema

AI IMAGE - Illustration of Robin Hood, 2023. Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - Illustration of Robin Hood, 2023. Legendary heroic outlaw from English folklore, featured in literature, theatre, and cinema

Sake Vessel in the Form of Urashima Taro on the Long-tailed Turtle, 19th century. Creator: Unknown
Sake Vessel in the Form of Urashima Taro on the Long-tailed Turtle, 19th century

The Story of the Courtesan Jigokudayu and Priest Ikkyu, 1886. Creator: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
The Story of the Courtesan Jigokudayu and Priest Ikkyu, 1886. From A New Selection of Eastern Brocade Pictures

Ushiwakamaru at Gojo Bridge, 1882. Creator: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Ushiwakamaru at Gojo Bridge, 1882. From Sketches by Yoshitoshi

Kiyohime, Emerging from the Hidaka River, Turning into a Serpent, 1865. Creator: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Kiyohime, Emerging from the Hidaka River, Turning into a Serpent, 1865. From One Hundred Ghost Tales from China and Japan

Oniwakamaru Observing the Great Carp in the Pond, 1889. Creator: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Oniwakamaru Observing the Great Carp in the Pond, 1889. From New Forms of the Thirty-six Ghosts

Sojobo: King of the Tengu, 1810s. Creator: Katsukawa Shuntei
Sojobo: King of the Tengu, 1810s

Ashinaga and Tenaga, Late 18th-early 19th century. Creator: Unknown
Ashinaga and Tenaga, Late 18th-early 19th century

Box in the Form of Urashima Taro Riding on the Long-Tailed Turtle, 19th century. Creator: Unknown
Box in the Form of Urashima Taro Riding on the Long-Tailed Turtle, 19th century

Ashinaga and Tenaga, 18th century. Creator: Unknown
Ashinaga and Tenaga, 18th century

Baku: Monster that Eats Nightmares, 18th century. Creator: Unknown
Baku: Monster that Eats Nightmares, 18th century

Baku: Monster that Eats Nightmares, 18th century. Creator: Unknown
Baku: Monster that Eats Nightmares, 18th century

Ashinaga Applying Moxa Treatment, Mid- to late 19th century. Creator: Hokkyo Sessai
Ashinaga Applying Moxa Treatment, Mid- to late 19th century

Ashinaga and Tenaga, Late 19th century. Creator: Hideaki
Ashinaga and Tenaga, Late 19th century

Baku: Monster that Eats Nightmares, 18th century. Creator: Gechu
Baku: Monster that Eats Nightmares, 18th century

Phyllis and Aristotle, c. 1545. Creator: Hans Brosamer
Phyllis and Aristotle, c. 1545

AI IMAGE - Illustration of Robin Hood, 2023. Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - Illustration of Robin Hood, 2023. Legendary heroic outlaw from English folklore, featured in literature, theatre, and cinema

The tree of Noche Triste, Popotla, between 1884 and 1900. Creator: William H. Jackson
The tree of Noche Triste, Popotla, between 1884 and 1900

Winona, Sugar Loaf Rocks, near view, c1898. Creator: Unknown
Winona, Sugar Loaf Rocks, near view, c1898

Winona, Sugar Loaf Rocks, distant view, c1898. Creator: Unknown
Winona, Sugar Loaf Rocks, distant view, c1898

Kenau Simonsdr Hasselaer, c.1590-c.1609. Creator: Unknown
Kenau Simonsdr Hasselaer, c.1590-c.1609

Spencer, Miss, portrait photograph, 1916. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Spencer, Miss, portrait photograph, 1916

L'Alliance avec la mer; M Karel Cogge, qui assura l'inondation de la region de Nieuport, 1914. Creator: Polinet
L'Alliance avec la mer; M Karel Cogge, qui assura l'inondation de la region de Nieuport, 1914. From "L'Album de la Guerre 1914-1919: Volume I". [L'Illustration, Paris, 1926]

Possession by the spirit; [A Mississippi baptismal service], 1926. Creator: Unknown
Possession by the spirit; [A Mississippi baptismal service], 1926

Two volumes of folk-lore, 1926. Creator: Unknown
Two volumes of folk-lore, 1926

Some of my informants; [Note the "mojo" around the neck of the center figure], 1926. Creator: Unknown
Some of my informants; [Note the "mojo" around the neck of the center figure], 1926

Nutmeg, red flannel and silver, 1926. Creator: Unknown
Nutmeg, red flannel and silver, 1926

John Henry, Los Angeles, 1936. Creator: Unknown
John Henry, Los Angeles, 1936. Mayan Theatre..."John Henry" - Federal Theatre Project...Div. of W.P.A.'. Play based on the African-American folk hero

The May-Day Festivities at St.Mary Cray, Kent, 1890. Creator: Unknown
The May-Day Festivities at St.Mary Cray, Kent, 1890. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 41. January to June, 1890

Jack-In-The-Green'--A May-Day Scene Sixty Years Ago, 1830, 1890. Creator: Unknown
Jack-In-The-Green'--A May-Day Scene Sixty Years Ago, 1890. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 41. January to June, 1890

Caracceole, Princess, and Mlle. Artska, 1924 May 9. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Caracceole, Princess, and Mlle. Artska, 1924 May 9

The Actors Sawamura Sojuro II as the Chinese Sage Huangshi Gong (on horseback), and Ich... c. 1768. Creator: Shunsho
The Actors Sawamura Sojuro II as the Chinese Sage Huangshi Gong (on horseback), and Ichikawa Danzo III as the Chinese Warrior Zhang Liang (mounted on a dragon)

Episode from Grimm's Fairy Tales, n.d. Creator: Harmon Faber
Episode from Grimm's Fairy Tales, n.d

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Folk life is a celebration of tradition, community, and connection to the past. It's about preserving the stories, songs, dances, and crafts that have been passed down through generations. From lively music festivals to quiet evenings spent quilting with friends, folk life encompasses a wide range of activities that bring people together in meaningful ways. In a fast-paced world where technology often dominates our lives, it offers a refreshing escape into simpler times. It reminds us of the importance of slowing down, connecting with nature, and appreciating the beauty in everyday moments. Whether it's learning how to play an old-time fiddle tune or mastering the art of making homemade jam, folk life provides endless opportunities for creativity and self-expression. It's a way to honor our roots while also embracing new ideas and innovations. So next time you find yourself craving a deeper sense of belonging or longing for a more authentic experience, consider exploring the rich tapestry of folk life. You may just discover a whole new world waiting to be explored right in your own backyard.