Prince Shōtoku killing Moriya no Omuraji for heresy 1879

This woodblock print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi depicts Prince Shōtoku, poised to strike down Moriya no Omuraji. Yoshitoshi constructs a dramatic tension through the interplay of color, line, and form. The dynamic diagonals of the Prince's posture and the horse's stance cut through the static, vertical elements of the trees. This contrast amplifies the sense of impending action. The composition can be viewed as a semiotic system. The Prince, rendered in vibrant greens and purples, is culturally coded as a symbol of righteousness. Moriya, though unseen, is represented by the chaotic, blurred background that suggests moral corruption. Yoshitoshi thus uses spatial organization to visualize the ideological conflict. The artist asks us to consider how systems of belief are visually encoded, offering not a straightforward narrative but a complex meditation on power.