Ryūgūjō
1880
Yoshitoshi, often called the 'last great ukiyo-e master,' brings a legendary underwater scene to life in this vibrant 1880 print. The central figure is the warrior Tawara Tōda (Fujiwara no Hidesato), grimacing with intense focus as he draws his bow at the Dragon Palace (Ryūgūjō). According to folklore, he is about to slay a giant centipede to save the Dragon King's son, while a noblewoman—likely the Dragon Princess—watches anxiously from behind his elaborate quiver of arrows. The bold colors and dramatic tension showcase Yoshitoshi's talent for freezing high-stakes mythological moments just before photography began to change the art world forever.
- Technique
- Woodblock print
- Material
- Paper and ink
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