Honderd krijgers geselecteerd door Yoshitoshi

About this artwork

height 364 mm x width 241 mm

Art Historical Context

**Honderd krijgers geerd door Yoshitoshi (1868) is a striking *nishiki-e* woodblock print by Tsoka Yoshitoshi, last great master of uki-e. Measuring 364 mm high by 241 mm wide, this vertical composition showcases Yoshitoshi's mastery in depicting fierce samurai warriors. The title, translating to "One Hundred Warriors by Yoshitoshi," highlights his curatorial eye, drawing from legendary figures in Japanese history and folklore to create a panoramic tribute to martial valor. Created amid the dramatic Meiji Restoration of 1868—a year marking the end of feudal Japan and the dawn of modernization—Yoshitoshi's work reflects nostalgia for the samurai era. As a pioneer of *musha-e* (warrior prints), he infused his scenes with intense drama, dynamic poses, and emotional depth, bridging traditional woodblock artistry with emerging influences. The *nishiki-e* technique, meaning "brocade picture," revolutionized printmaking with up to 20 color woodblocks, yielding vibrant hues and intricate details that mimic luxurious textiles. This print's cultural resonance endures, celebrating bushido spirit while capturing a pivotal historical transition, inviting viewers to ponder Japan's warrior legacy.

About the Artist

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi · 1839–1892

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi was born on April 30, 1839, in the Shimbashi district of Edo, the city that would become Tokyo. At the age of eleven he was apprenticed to Utagawa Kuniyoshi, one of the great masters of the Japanese woodblock print, who gave the boy the artist name 'Yoshitoshi' as a mark of lineage within the Utagawa School. From Kuniyoshi, Yoshitoshi absorbed the full tradition of ukiyo-e — th...