Illustration of the Police Superintendent and his men Receiving Wine - Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

A detailed Meiji-era woodblock print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi depicting a social gathering of police officers and guests in a modernised interior.

This woodblock print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi depicts a social gathering during the Meiji period, capturing a moment of celebration involving the police force. The scene is set within an interior space that reflects the rapid modernisation of Japan at the time, featuring Western-style chandeliers, chairs, and tables alongside traditional Japanese elements. The composition is divided across three panels, a common format for ukiyo-e prints of this era, allowing for a wide, panoramic view of the festivities.

In the centre, a figure is shown lifting a large sake barrel, a gesture that anchors the activity of the room. The police officers, dressed in their uniforms, are seated at tables covered with red cloths, while women in kimono attend to the guests. The floor is covered with a patterned carpet, adding to the visual density of the scene. Yoshitoshi, known for his ability to document the changing social fabric of Japan, provides a detailed look at the intersection of traditional customs and imported Western aesthetics. The print serves as a record of the period, documenting the attire, furniture, and social rituals that defined the late nineteenth-century urban experience in Tokyo.

Yoshitoshi was one of the final masters of the ukiyo-e tradition. His work often bridged the gap between the Edo period and the new Meiji era, showing a keen eye for detail and narrative. This specific print demonstrates his skill in managing complex group compositions and his interest in contemporary events. The use of colour and line work reflects the technical standards of the time, with the print maintaining a balance between the busy interior environment and the individual actions of the figures present.