December 1909
1909
Designed for the December 1909 issue of the literary magazine *Hototogisu*, this cover features a surprisingly grotesque scene by Hashiguchi Goyō. Two figures in traditional white robes and black hats sit against a cool blue background, but the tranquility is ruined by the man on the left, who is yawning so violently that a long, exaggerated stream of saliva flies across the page. The large Katakana text at the top reads 'Hototogisu' (cuckoo) from right to left. While Goyō is best known for his delicate *shin-hanga* prints of beautiful women, this early work shows his bold graphic style and a great sense of humor during the Meiji era's push toward modernism.
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