Kiyomori and the History of Nunobiki Waterfall: The spirit of Akugenta Yoshihira strikes Nanba Jirō. (Kiyomori nyūdō nunobiki no taki yūran akugenta yoshihira no rei nanba jirō o utsu) 1868

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi created this woodblock print titled, *Kiyomori and the History of Nunobiki Waterfall*, where visual dynamics are paramount. A spectral figure lunges from a dense, dark ground, its energy expressed through stark lines and contrasting tones. Consider the linear elements; rigid red beams intersect with the ethereal waterfall below, creating a sense of disjunction and tension. These sharp, inorganic lines clash with the more organic, flowing forms, setting up a dichotomy between the spiritual and the material. The ghost-like figure seems unbound by gravity. The composition eschews traditional perspective, flattening the space and emphasizing the symbolic over the real. This flattening and distortion serve to undermine stable perceptions of reality. The stark contrast between light and shadow enhances the drama, and creates a sense of unease. The artist uses form to destabilize our expectations, challenging the viewer to reconsider the boundaries between the natural, supernatural, and representational.