Yowamushi Korokoro Goton Jūton no Zu (Roly-Poly Cowards: Pigs with Five Heads and Ten Bodies)

US$1,380.00

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Yowamushi Korokoro Goton Jūton no Zu ["Roly-Poly Cowards: Pigs with Five Heads and Ten Bodies"]

Seirakusai [Ochiai], Yoshiiku [illustrated by].

[Japan: publisher unidentified, ca. Meiji 28 (1895)].

A satirical giga print on the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) featuring, as the title suggests, interjoined Chinese soldiers with a total of ten bodies and five heads. The illustration is meant to mock the panic and mayhem experienced by the Chinese army as it flees from the Japanese soldiers. The names of different regions and cities in China are inscribed on the characters' bellies and the captions (which function as speech-bubbles) are filled with wordplay. Utagawa (Ochiai) Yoshiiku (1833-1904), the artist, was a co-founder and illustrator of both the Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shinbun ("Tokyo Daily News") and the Tokyo E-iri Shinbun ("Tokyo Illustrated News"). A pioneer of shinbun nishiki-e, it is unsurprising that he should produce such a topical and overtly political illustration. A scarce and creatively expressed propaganda print. 

One ōban nishiki-e, complete. Mounted on washi paper. Light soiling, trimming, and marks. 36.5 x 22.9 cm.

Yowamushi Korokoro Goton Jūton no Zu (Roly-Poly Cowards: Pigs with Five Heads and Ten Bodies)
Price: $1,380.00 (USD)