View of the Large Imported Elephant 1863

This woodblock print, "View of the Large Imported Elephant," by Taguchi Yoshimori (1830-1884) depicts a large elephant, a rare sight in Japan, being shown in a cage. The elephant’s size is emphasized by the small figure of a man standing nearby. The vibrant colors and intricate details of the print showcase the talent of Yoshimori, a prominent artist of the Utagawa school. This print, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, provides a glimpse into the fascination with exotic animals in 19th-century Japan.