Raptor Capturing a Crane in Flight c. mid 18th century

This woodblock print, *Raptor Capturing a Crane in Flight*, depicts a powerful raptor seizing a crane mid-flight. Attributed to Torii Kiyomasu, a prominent artist of the Edo period, this work showcases the dynamism and detail characteristic of *ukiyo-e*, a genre of Japanese woodblock prints. The artist uses bold colors and dramatic lines to depict the intense struggle between the two birds, highlighting the raptor's sharp talons and the crane's desperate struggle. This print, a *hosoban*, was intended for a mass audience and likely displayed in homes and teahouses across Japan.