Published 1887, Thunder God (#8) belongs to Gekko’s Essays (Gekko Zuihitsu). Gekkō zuihitsu—literally Gekkō’s ‘miscellaneous writings’ or ‘essays’—is an eclectic series of historical, literary, religious, and everyday subjects. Its range recalls the essay miscellany while demonstrating how Gekkō could move between intimate observation and grand historical narrative.

The title identifies the design’s particular figure, episode, object, or place, anchoring Gekkō’s composition in a larger network of historical narrative and cultural association. The catalog identifies men and stone among the principal motifs. Gekkō uses their relationship to clarify action, season, setting, and narrative emphasis rather than treating them as interchangeable decoration.

Gekkō’s print style is noted for painterly contours, soft color transitions, and reserved paper, effects achieved through the collaborative disciplines of block carving and hand printing.

Additional information

Editions

First Edition

Publisher

Matsuki Heikichi

Size

Oban

Subjects

men, stone

Year Published

1887

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