A New Selection of Strange Events; Taira No Kiyomori Seeing Skulls in the Snowy Garden 1882

Editor: Here we have Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's woodblock print, "A New Selection of Strange Events; Taira No Kiyomori Seeing Skulls in the Snowy Garden," from 1882. It's quite striking; Kiyomori's expression is intense, but it's the ghostly skulls lurking in the snow that really catch my eye. How do you interpret this work in its historical context? Curator: This piece provides a fascinating lens through which to view the political and social anxieties of late 19th-century Japan. Yoshitoshi, working in the Meiji era, often used historical narratives like this one – the story of Taira no Kiyomori, a 12th-century warlord haunted by his misdeeds – to indirectly comment on contemporary power structures. Notice how the composition places Kiyomori centrally, seemingly confronting these manifestations of death. It can be interpreted as questioning the legitimacy and the morality of power, and reflecting the rapid social changes occurring at the time. What message do you think the artist was conveying about leadership? Editor: That's a compelling reading! I hadn’t considered it as a direct critique of contemporary leadership. I was focusing more on the dramatic, supernatural element. Are you suggesting that the 'strange event' isn’t just a spooky tale but also a commentary on political paranoia? Curator: Exactly! The popularity of *ukiyo-e*, even in decline due to westernization, continued because it offered a relatively accessible medium for social commentary. Consider who was buying these prints, too: a burgeoning middle class, increasingly aware of the socio-political climate. The choice to depict Kiyomori, a figure of historical power but also infamy, invites the viewer to contemplate power’s corrupting influence throughout history, including their present moment. Editor: So, beyond the immediate visual appeal, the print is really engaging with anxieties about power and social transformation. I never considered *ukiyo-e* as having this political commentary. Thanks! Curator: And I have a fresher view on what this image could mean to general audiences nowadays. A fascinating discussion.