This dynamic woodblock print byKawanabe Kyōsaiis from the seriesGenroku Yamato Nishiki, depicting heroic warriors inspired by Japanese history and legend. The title quotes a classical Chinese phrase meaning,“Ascending the mountains, one slays tigers and leopards; entering the waters, one beheads dragons.”The tiger, leopard, and dragon symbolize formidable enemies and extraordinary challenges, making the inscription a celebration of unmatched courage and martial valor. Kyōsai's bold composition and expressive style exemplify the dramatic warrior prints of the Meiji period.
