Malicious Priest c. 1790

"Malicious Priest" is a woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai from around 1790. This *ukiyo-e* print depicts a scene of a priest being punished by two men. One holds a bundle of sticks as a weapon and the other holds a sword. The priest, bound and with a baby on his back, is clearly in pain. The print is a powerful example of Hokusai's ability to capture the drama and emotion of everyday life in Edo-period Japan. Hokusai’s work is celebrated for its dynamic lines and vivid colors.