"Monsters Jumping Out of a Box Scaring a Man" is a preparatory drawing for the print "The Heavy Basket" (Omoi tsuzura, circa 1889), illustrating a classic Japanese folktale in which a greedy neighbor copies a kind old man's good fortune but receives punishment instead of reward. The kind man received gifts from strange creatures when he opened a similar basket; the greedy man receives monsters and terror. Yoshitoshi's preparatory sketch captures the moment of terrified revelation with exuberant humor.
1888
Color woodblock print; oban
n.d.
Color woodblock print
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Monsters jumping out of a box scaring a man, draft for the print 'The Heavy Basket' (Omoi tsuzura) was created by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (月岡芳年) in around 1889.
Monsters jumping out of a box scaring a man, draft for the print 'The Heavy Basket' (Omoi tsuzura) depicts figures, mythology, and daily life.
Monsters jumping out of a box scaring a man, draft for the print 'The Heavy Basket' (Omoi tsuzura) measures 37.5 × 26.5 cm (Oban format).
