Picture of an Elephant Born in Maruka in Central India 1863

Ichiryūsai Yoshitoyo produced this woodblock print called “Picture of an Elephant Born in Maruka in Central India” sometime between 1830 and 1866. Looking closely, we can see that the image depicts Westerners riding on an elephant, reflecting Japan's growing interest in the outside world during the late Edo period. The print incorporates elements of both Japanese and Western artistic styles. The artist's choice of subject matter speaks to the social conditions of the time, where there was growing curiosity and fascination with foreign lands and cultures. This interest was also fueled by Japan's increasing engagement with international trade and diplomacy. The elephant itself becomes a symbol of exoticism and the allure of the unknown. To understand this work, we must consider the printmaking industry of the time, the circulation of images, and the emerging Western influence on Japanese art and society.