Daizō shasei|Big Elephants Being Attacked
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From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
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From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
This triptych of woodblock prints depicts a dramatic scene of humans and animals in conflict. In the foreground, a large elephant is being attacked by several men wielding spears and swords, while a tiger leaps into the fray. The men are dressed in traditional Japanese clothing and are positioned around the elephant, some on its back and others on the ground. In the background, a castle or temple can be seen, with trees and hills rising up behind it. The sky above is a deep blue, with a few clouds scattered across it. The overall effect is one of chaos and energy, with the bold lines and bright colors of the woodblock prints adding to the sense of drama. The painting's use of bold lines and bright colors is reminiscent of the techniques used by artists in the Impressionism movement.
