Mashiba Hisayoshi, the Tairyō, in Lightning
1865
Bold red lightning bolts slash diagonally across this dramatic 1865 woodblock print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, capturing a moment of intense supernatural power. The central figure, the fierce samurai Mashiba Hisayoshi (also known as Shibata Katsuie), stands stoically in his black robes while attendants scramble behind him with umbrellas, their faces twisted in fear. Yoshitoshi, often called the 'last great ukiyo-e master,' was famous for his dynamic compositions and psychological intensity, which are on full display here as the storm rages around the unflinching warrior. The print belongs to his series 'One Hundred Stories of Japan and China,' illustrating famous legends with striking visual flair.
- Technique
- Woodblock print
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