Nikki Danjō Naonori Changing into a Rat 1865

"Nikki Danjō Naonori Changing into a Rat" is a woodblock print by renowned Japanese artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi from 1865. The print, part of his "One Hundred Ghost Stories" series, depicts a samurai, Nikki Danjō Naonori, transforming into a rat. This dramatic and unsettling image illustrates a classic Japanese ghost story, capturing the supernatural elements of the tale. The print showcases Yoshitoshi's masterful use of color and detail, with the samurai's elaborate clothing and the rat's realistic features. This artwork is a powerful example of the genre of ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world", which often depicted scenes of everyday life, historical events, and legends.