Sano Jirōzaemon Murdering a Courtesan
1886
Yoshitoshi, the last great master of ukiyo-e, certainly knew how to deliver a shock, and this 1886 print is a perfect example of his dramatic flair. We see the infamous Sano Jirozaemon, sword dripping with blood, looming over a terrified courtesan as a flock of white birds explodes into the air in a panic. It's a chaotic freeze-frame of violence where the serene beauty of the woman's patterned kimono clashes with the barefoot, blood-spattered attacker clutching a large lantern. Known for his 'bloody prints' during Japan's rapid modernization, Yoshitoshi used these intense scenes to hold onto the old samurai spirit, making the viewer feel the sheer terror of the moment.
- Technique
- Woodblock print
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