Murai Chōan Killing His Younger Brother at the Crossroads 1866

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi created this woodblock print depicting the violent infanticide committed by Murai Chōan. Yoshitoshi lived during a tumultuous period of social and political change as Japan opened its doors to the West. This print offers a glimpse into the artist's fascination with the darker aspects of human nature and the societal upheavals of his time. This disturbing image of fratricide questions the ideals of brotherhood that were prominent in samurai culture. The print seems to ask; what happens when loyalty clashes with personal ambition? Are we looking at a literal depiction of violence, or is this print a metaphor for the cultural clashes happening as Japan transitioned into a new era? By exploring themes of violence, betrayal, and moral decay, Yoshitoshi challenges viewers to confront the unsettling aspects of human behavior and question the values that underpin society. In a time of great social change, Yoshitoshi makes us consider the cost of progress.