Ota Yazaemon and His Son Fusajirō Sever and Exchange Fingers before the Son Departs for War 1875

This woodblock print, "Ota Yazaemon and His Son Fusajirō Sever and Exchange Fingers before the Son Departs for War" by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, captures the poignant moment of a father and son exchanging finger segments before the son heads off to war. This practice, known as "yubi kiri," was a traditional Japanese ritual symbolizing the strength of the bond between two people, and in this case, serves as a heart-wrenching farewell. Yoshitoshi masterfully portrays the emotional intensity of the scene through the use of dynamic lines and vivid colors.