Shigeno Yozaemon and a Bursting Shell
1869
Imagine being a traditional samurai and suddenly seeing a cannon shell explode right above your head—that’s the dramatic scene Yoshitoshi captures here. Shigeno Yozaemon, decked out in fancy patterned robes and a sword, stares up in absolute shock at the bursting shell. Created in 1869 during the turbulent Boshin War, this print highlights the terrifying moment Japan’s old warrior class met modern Western weaponry. Yoshitoshi was famous for his intense 'bloody prints,' and this explosive moment perfectly shows his talent for high-stakes storytelling as the old world literally blows up.
- Technique
- Woodblock print
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