Aoyanagi Harunosuke Throwing an Assailant Underwater 1866

This is Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s woodblock print depicting Aoyanagi Harunosuke throwing an assailant underwater, created sometime between 1839 and 1892. Yoshitoshi lived during a time of significant social and political change as Japan transitioned from feudalism to modernity. The print is part of a series illustrating tales of brave heroes and villains. Consider the context in which this image was created; as Japan opened up to the West, there was a renewed interest in national identity and stories of heroism. Aoyanagi, with his muscular physique and determined expression, represents an idealized version of masculinity. His strength becomes a symbol of resistance against perceived threats to Japanese culture and autonomy. The act of throwing the assailant underwater isn’t just about physical dominance, it’s about control. The rope binding Aoyanagi is at odds with his dynamic pose and is a potent symbol of the constraints placed on individuals by societal expectations. Yoshitoshi seems to be asking: what does it mean to be strong, and what are the forces that seek to drown our true selves?