Nakatomi Kamatari and Prince Ōe Killing the Usurper Iruka 1879

This woodblock print was made by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, who lived from 1839 to 1892. It depicts Nakatomi Kamatari and Prince Ōe killing the usurper Iruka, who held power in the Asuka period. Here, the artist draws from stories and folklore, connecting them to the turbulent times of the Meiji Restoration, when Japan opened to the West, leading to social and political upheaval. Yoshitoshi uses the past to reflect on contemporary anxieties about power, identity, and national destiny. Iruka, the usurper is rendered as a figure of monstrous otherness. His death isn't just a political act; it’s a symbolic purification of the state, reaffirming traditional values against perceived threats. The print, with its intense action and dramatic composition, evokes a sense of emotional catharsis. It speaks to a deep-seated desire for order and justice in a world that often feels chaotic. It reminds us that even in moments of political violence, there are always underlying human dramas playing out.