A Civilized Daruma
1882
Imagine the founder of Zen Buddhism, Bodhidharma, deciding to catch up on current events—while wearing a top hat on his backside! Tsukioka Yoshitoshi created this hilarious scene in 1882 to poke fun at Japan's rapid Westernization during the Meiji period. The bearded man, representing a 'Daruma' figure, is sprawled out reading a newspaper, symbolizing the new craze for 'civilization and enlightenment.' Beside him, a woman in bright red robes sits calmly by a charcoal brazier, creating a striking contrast between traditional aesthetics and this absurd attempt at modernity.
- Technique
- Woodblock print
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