2-33

2-33. 東京開化狂画名所　日本橋魚市場大蛸の乱暴
“An Octopus Fights Back at Nihonbashi Fish Market,” 1881 from the series Crazy Pictures of Famous Places in Tokyo
Ink and colors on paper, chuban
Private collection

This object appears is from the Special Exhibit: From Edo to Meiji: Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales May 26–September 9, 2007 In case of discrepancy, use wall label as final authority.

Here the artist imagines a large and very angry octopus refusing to be considered an item for sale. It seems to have been aroused by a spike in its head, and engages in a tug-of-war with a tattooed fishmonger while it grips two others in its tentacles. Cartoonlike series like this were often serious commercial ventures, and the printing quality of even such light-hearted designs as this is high, with careful engraving and color grading.

In contrast to his prints of historical events played out on a grand scale, Yoshitoshi designed for his urban audience many prints that parodied modern life in Tokyo, including several half-size series. Some have a moral message, and most are satirical or amusing, often with a hard edge to the humor. The title of this series parodies Hiroshige’s several sets of Famous Places in the Eastern Capital. Yoshitoshi signed these pictures “crazy pictures by Yoshitoshi.”

signed: Oju Yoshitoshi kyoga
publisher: Tsunashima
printed: 1st month