I Want to Go Abroad c. 1878 - 1879

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s ukiyo-e woodblock print presents a moment of quiet contemplation, composed with soft, muted colors and intricate patterns. The woman, positioned slightly off-center, engages in a serene yet powerful visual experience. Yoshitoshi constructs a complex interplay between the figure and the ground using visual elements. The subtle gradations in color, the textures of the fabrics, and the overall arrangement create a tension that invites the viewer to decode. The formal qualities of the artwork—its lines, color, and shapes—function as signs within a larger cultural context. Yoshitoshi destabilizes established meanings of femininity. She represents the concept of yearning through a lens of inward reflection rather than outward action. The image is not merely a depiction but a construction, challenging viewers to find new ways of understanding the world. Through the manipulation of form and the incorporation of complex codes, Yoshitoshi offers an artwork that is both aesthetically pleasing and intellectually stimulating.