The Child of Horisaka Sahei Tied to a Rice Bale 1875

This woodblock print was made by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. Here, a child is depicted tied to a rice bale, a scene laden with symbols of discipline and familial struggle. The act of tying a child to a rice bale reflects a form of punishment, a practice deeply rooted in the need for order and obedience, particularly when resources were scarce. Consider how similar gestures of control appear across cultures. The binding of feet in ancient China or the swaddling of infants in Europe—each speaks to our enduring impulse to shape and constrain, to impose structure onto the chaos of human existence. The rice bale itself, a symbol of sustenance and wealth, is a mute witness to this domestic drama. Perhaps it reflects the family's aspirations and economic pressures, underscoring the psychological weight these symbols carry. We see in this image a cyclical progression. The symbol of the bound child resurfaces throughout history, evolving from a representation of discipline to embodying themes of innocence, oppression, and, ultimately, the human spirit's resilience.