The Tattooed Warrior Under the Moon | Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892) | Reproduction Woodblock Print
Description
A tattooed warrior. Nine dragons. A quiet moonlit night.
This Japanese woodblock print is a reproduction of a striking design by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892), from his celebrated series One Hundred Aspects of the Moon (Tsuki Hyakushi).
The figure depicted is Shi Jin, known in Japan as Kumonryū Shishin — the “Nine-Dragon” warrior from the Chinese classic Water Margin.
His name comes from the nine dragons tattooed across his body.
But Yoshitoshi does not show him in the chaos of battle.
Instead, the warrior sits quietly beneath a willow tree on a summer night. His robe falls open, revealing the elaborate dragon tattoos across his chest and arms, while the moon appears through the branches above.
Strength and silence exist in the same image.
The contrast is what makes this design so compelling: a legendary warrior covered in dragons, captured not in violence, but in a rare moment of stillness.
The dragon tattoos, deep blue background, patterned robe, dark foliage, and pale moon create a composition that feels surprisingly contemporary more than a century after the original design was created.
It brings together Japanese warrior imagery, tattoo culture, literature, and the beauty of the moon in a single image.
For admirers of Japanese tattoo culture, dragons, warrior imagery, traditional Japanese art, or the darker atmosphere of old Japan, this is a particularly distinctive work.
Its restrained palette and bold composition also allow it to sit naturally within modern, minimalist, and Japandi interiors.
Not simply an image from the past.
A piece of Japanese visual culture that still feels powerful today.
Artist
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi was one of the most important artists of the final generation of ukiyo-e.
A pupil of the celebrated Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Yoshitoshi became known for his dramatic warrior scenes, supernatural subjects, historical narratives, beautiful women, and psychologically charged compositions.
His late masterpiece, One Hundred Aspects of the Moon, brought together stories from Japanese and Chinese history, literature, legend, and folklore through one recurring image: the moon.
The series remains one of the defining achievements of Yoshitoshi’s career.
Artwork Details
Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)
Series: One Hundred Aspects of the Moon (Tsuki Hyakushi)
Title: Moonlight at Shijia Village — Nine-Dragon Shijin
Subject: Shi Jin / Kumonryū Shishin (Nine-Dragon Shijin)
Type: Reproduction Woodblock Print
Origin: Japan
Please note: This is a later reproduction based on Yoshitoshi’s original design. It is not being offered as an original 19th-century impression.
Condition
This work is a later reproduction woodblock print based on Yoshitoshi’s original design.
As this is a vintage item, minor signs of age, toning, wear, or other imperfections may be present.
Condition as shown in the photographs. Please examine all photographs carefully before purchasing, as the images form an important part of the condition description.
Actual colors may vary slightly depending on your monitor or screen settings.
Shipping
Worldwide shipping is available.
Each artwork will be carefully packaged and shipped with tracking.
International Orders
Import duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees are not included in the product price or shipping cost.
If applicable, these charges are determined by your country's customs authority and are the responsibility of the customer.
The Tattooed Warrior Under the Moon | Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892) | Reproduction Woodblock Print
Product Description
A tattooed warrior. Nine dragons. A quiet moonlit night.
This is a reproduction Japanese woodblock print based on a striking design from Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's (1839–1892) celebrated series, "One Hundred Aspects of the Moon."
The figure depicted is Shi Jin, a hero from the Chinese classic novel "Water Margin."
In Japan, he is known as "Kumonryū Shishin" (Nine-Dragon Shi Jin).
His name comes from the nine dragons tattooed across his body.
However, Yoshitoshi did not portray him in the midst of fierce battle.
Instead, Shi Jin is shown sitting quietly under a willow tree on a summer night.
His robe falls open, revealing the dragon tattoos that cover his chest and arms, while the moon appears through the branches above his head.
Strength and tranquility coexist in a single image.
This contrast—a legendary warrior adorned with fierce dragons, depicted not in a moment of violence but in stillness—is what makes this work so captivating.
The dragon tattoos, the deep blue background, the patterned robe, the dark foliage, and the softly glowing moon create a composition that feels surprisingly contemporary, even more than a century after the original was created.
It condenses multiple cultural elements—warriors, tattoos, dragons, literature, and the moon—into one image.
This is a particularly distinctive piece for those who are drawn to Japanese tattoo culture, dragons, warrior imagery, traditional Japanese art, or the slightly mysterious and darker atmosphere of "old Japan."
Its restrained color palette and bold composition also allow it to blend naturally with modern, minimalist, and Japandi interiors.
More than just an old painting,
it is a piece of Japanese visual culture that still holds power today.
Artist
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi was one of the most important artists of the final generation of ukiyo-e.
A pupil of the celebrated Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Yoshitoshi created a unique world through dramatic compositions and strong narratives, specializing in warrior prints, historical paintings, eerie and supernatural subjects, and beautiful women, all imbued with psychological depth.
His late masterpiece, "One Hundred Aspects of the Moon," connected stories from Japanese and Chinese history, literature, legends, and folklore through a single motif: the moon.
It remains one of the defining series of Yoshitoshi's career.
Artwork Information
Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)
Series: One Hundred Aspects of the Moon (Tsuki Hyakushi)
Title: Moonlight at Shijia Village — Nine-Dragon Shijin
Figure: Shi Jin / Kumonryū Shishin
Type: Reproduction Woodblock Print
Country of Origin: Japan
Please note: This work is a later reproduction based on Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's original design. It is not being sold as an original first or contemporary impression from the 19th century.
Condition
This work is a later reproduction woodblock print based on Yoshitoshi’s original design.
As this is a vintage item, minor signs of age, toning, wear, or other alterations may be present.
The condition is as shown in the photographs. Please carefully examine all photographs before purchasing, as the images form an important part of the condition description.
Actual colors may vary slightly depending on your monitor or screen settings.
Shipping
Worldwide shipping is available.
Each artwork will be carefully packaged and shipped with tracking.
International Orders
Import duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees are not included in the product price or shipping cost.
If applicable, these charges are determined by your country's customs authority and are the responsibility of the customer.
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