Picture of Large Elephant from India (Tenjiku hakurai dai zo no shashin), An Attraction at Ryogoku in the Eastern Capital (Toto Ryogoku mimono) 1863

"Picture of Large Elephant from India (Tenjiku hakurai dai zo no shashin), An Attraction at Ryogoku in the Eastern Capital (Toto Ryogoku mimono)" is a woodblock print by Utagawa Yoshikazu, a prominent Japanese artist of the Edo period. Created in 1863, this captivating print depicts a large elephant, a rare sight in Japan at the time, engaging in a playful manner with a bundle of straw. The elephant, rendered with meticulous detail, stands against a vibrant blue background, conveying a sense of wonder and exoticism. This print, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, is a testament to Yoshikazu's talent for capturing the intrigue and beauty of the natural world, offering a glimpse into 19th-century Japanese culture and its fascination with foreign creatures.