Shuten-dōji at Mount Ōe (Ōeyama Shuten-dōji) Possibly 1858

Editor: This woodblock print is by Utagawa Yoshitsuya, titled *Shuten-dōji at Mount Ōe*. The figures seem almost suspended against the dark background. What strikes you about its composition? Curator: The print's power lies in the dynamic arrangement of forms. Note the linear precision of the swords contrasting with the swirling hair, creating a visual tension. How does this tension inform your understanding? Editor: It creates a feeling of chaos, as though the battle is frantic and unpredictable. Curator: Precisely. Yoshitsuya manipulates form and line to communicate a sense of immediacy and struggle, drawing the viewer into the heart of the conflict. The patterning on the armor also adds an interesting textural element. Editor: I see that now. It’s much more than just a depiction of a fight; it’s a carefully constructed visual experience. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. Formal analysis allows us to appreciate the artist’s deliberate choices and their impact on the work's overall effect.