Prince Shōtoku killing Moriya no Omuraji for heresy 1879

This woodblock print, titled "Prince Shōtoku killing Moriya no Omuraji for heresy" and created by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi in 1879, depicts a dramatic scene from Japanese history. The print depicts Prince Shōtoku, a prominent figure in early Japanese Buddhism, riding a horse and aiming an arrow at Moriya no Omuraji, a local chieftain who resisted the introduction of Buddhism to Japan. The vibrant colors and dynamic composition are characteristic of Yoshitoshi's style, known as "ukiyo-e," a genre that flourished in Japan during the Edo period. This print exemplifies Yoshitoshi's talent for depicting historical narratives with dramatic intensity.