Visual Parody of the Tale of Shiranui c. 1870s

"Visual Parody of the Tale of Shiranui" is a multi-panel woodblock print by Utagawa Yoshitaki, a celebrated artist of the late Edo period in Japan. The work, created in the 1870s, depicts a humorous scene from the popular legend of Shiranui, a beautiful woman who transforms into a fire spirit. The print, a "heptaptych," or seven-panel work, is a visual parody of the traditional tale, showcasing Yoshitaki's skill in both storytelling and caricature. It uses bold colors and dynamic compositions, characteristic of the ukiyo-e style, to depict the fantastical world of the Shiranui legend, making it a captivating and entertaining example of Japanese woodblock art.