Miyoshiya Shunzan and Iwami Jūtarō c. 1867 - 1868

This print was created by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi in the late 19th century and depicts Miyoshiya Shunzan and Iwami Jūtarō entrapped in a wooden structure. The most striking symbol here is the cage-like structure, a potent emblem of constraint. Consider how this motif echoes through time. In ancient Roman gladiatorial combats, the retiarius used a net to ensnare his opponents, creating a similar image of captivity. The cage, as a symbol, transcends eras, appearing in medieval allegories of sin. It represents not just physical imprisonment, but psychological and spiritual limitations. The anguish of the figures trapped in Yoshitoshi's print engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, reminding us of our own vulnerabilities and struggles against confinement. Observe how the sword, a symbol of freedom and power, lies discarded beside the entrapped figure, further underscoring his helplessness. The symbol of the cage resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts, continually tapping into primal fears of imprisonment.