Ushiwaka (Minamoto Yoshitsune) Battling Tengu (Mitate setsu-getsu-ka no uchi kurama zuki) Possibly 1883

Editor: This is a woodblock print by Toyohara Kunichika, titled "Ushiwaka (Minamoto Yoshitsune) Battling Tengu." I find the subdued color palette creates a very mysterious and ethereal mood. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Looking at this print, I see a powerful engagement with themes of identity and martial prowess within a complex cultural narrative. Consider the symbolism of Ushiwaka, a figure embodying youthful strength, confronting the supernatural Tengu. How might this reflect societal anxieties or aspirations of the time? Editor: It's interesting to consider the anxieties. Perhaps it speaks to fears surrounding the disruption of social order? Curator: Precisely. And beyond the narrative itself, how does the artist's choice of medium and composition contribute to the overall message of power, cultural identity, and the anxieties of that era? Editor: I see, it encourages a deeper consideration of the cultural context. Thanks! Curator: Absolutely, it's crucial to explore those intersectional narratives.