Taira no Shigemori Sending Gold to China 1878

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi made this woodblock print of Taira no Shigemori at an unknown date. But it can be understood in the context of Japan's Meiji Restoration. Yoshitoshi's works, particularly those in the "Biographies of Great Generals of Japan" series, reflect a blend of historical narrative and contemporary social commentary. The image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. The presence of gold suggests wealth and power dynamics, potentially referencing the economic structures of the time. The Meiji period, marked by rapid modernization and Westernization, influenced artistic production. To delve deeper, resources like historical documents, biographies of Yoshitoshi, and studies on Meiji-era art provide valuable context. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.