An aka-e (赤絵 "red picture") is a type of
ukiyo-e that is printed entirely or predominantly in red. Aka-e were said to be talismans against
smallpox, especially when they bore images of
Shōki the demon queller. A woodblock print having a significant portion of the design entirely in red may also be considered to be an aka-e.
Gallery
Courtesan and Boy Flower Seller, an aka-e by
Okumura Masanobu,
c. 1730s
Shōki Appearing in a Dream (Muchû Shôki shutsugen no zu), a chûban an aka-e by
Sadanobu Hasegawa I,
c. 1840