Chisho, from the series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)" 1898

Tsukioka Kôgyo made this woodblock print called "Chisho" sometime between 1890 and 1920. The print displays an actor in a dramatic pose, central to the composition, set against a muted background. The actor's costume, primarily black with geometric gold patterns, contrasts sharply with the white skirt and the paler background, creating a striking visual hierarchy. The arrangement of elements in this print reveals much about the artist’s intent. Kôgyo uses the flatness of the print medium to emphasize the two-dimensionality of the design. The geometric patterns on the costume, combined with the stylized depiction of the figure, suggest a deep engagement with the formal properties of line, shape, and color. Note how the two insets at the top-right challenge conventional perspective and depth. These miniature scenes—one a geometric grid, the other a seascape—disrupt our expectations and invite a deeper reading of the image's structure. Kôgyo is not just representing a scene; he is actively exploring the formal possibilities of the print medium. This emphasis on form over traditional representation aligns with broader artistic movements of the time that questioned fixed meanings and explored new modes of visual expression.