1862

Hashika Yakubyo Yoke

Japanese, 1822 - 1866

In 1862, as a measles epidemic swept across Japan, a genre of printed images known as (measles pictures) developed in response. These prints provided information about the disease in text and image, as well as recommendations for how to care for measles patients. Hashika-e were also understood to have the power to ward off the disease from the home in which they were displayed. In this work, Ichieisai Yoshitsuya depicted a protective deity who grips his double swords, prepared to drive the contagion away.