Bōtarō’s Nurse Otsuji Prays to the God of Konpira for His Success 1892

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s woodblock print “Bōtarō’s Nurse Otsuji Prays to the God of Konpira for His Success” (1892) depicts a woman in a flowing white gown sitting before a waterfall. Otsuji, the titular nurse, is praying to the deity Konpira, who is known for protecting sailors. The image is framed by a cascading waterfall, symbolic of the perilous journey faced by the samurai, Bōtarō, that Otsuji is praying for. This artwork is a prime example of Yoshitoshi’s mastery of ukiyo-e, a Japanese art form known for its vivid colors and intricate detail.