Horii Tsuneemon Crucified 1868

This 1868 woodblock print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, titled "Horii Tsuneemon Crucified," is a dramatic depiction of a historical execution. The print, characteristic of the "One Hundred Ghost Tales" series, shows the condemned man bound and pierced through the chest with a spear, blood flowing freely. Yoshitoshi's masterful use of color and detail, particularly in the rendering of the victim's agony and the starkness of the background, creates a powerful image of suffering and mortality. This print is a powerful reminder of the brutality of the past and the enduring fascination with the macabre.