Desire 

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi created this woodblock print, titled 'Desire', during a period of rapid modernization and social change in Japan. Yoshitoshi was working in the late Edo and early Meiji periods, a time when Japan was opening up to the West after a long period of isolation. 'Desire' shows a woman in what appears to be a domestic setting, her gaze and gestures evoking a sense of longing or anticipation. The print blends traditional Ukiyo-e techniques with modern influences, reflecting the tensions between the old and new. Yoshitoshi was known for his interest in the lives of women, often portraying them as complex, emotional beings rather than passive figures. "I don't draw what I see, but what I feel," he once said, highlighting his subjective approach to art. 'Desire' captures a sense of personal emotion within the context of broader cultural shifts, inviting us to consider the desires and experiences of individuals navigating a changing world.