19th Century Woodblock Print Shows Modern Tower: Coincidence or Time Travel?

That's "Toto Mitsumata no Zu," a drawing by artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi, showing a couple of men working to waterproof their boat. It's a fine piece of ukiyo-e style woodblock print and a rather mysterious example of time travel artefact.

You see, the woodblock print, which is dated from 1831, clearly showed the Tokyo Sky Tree being built today:

The ukiyo-e print drew particular attention over mysterious tower depicted on the left part of the work, leading some to surmise that the artist had predicted the emergence of Tokyo Sky Tree in modern times. [...]

The left side of the work shows two thin, high-rise buildings looking down on the town of old Tokyo across the river. The one on the far left is believed to be a fire-watch tower. However, experts say no building as tall as the mysterious one next to it existed back in those days.

Link - via metafilter


As I see it, here are the options: 1. Time traveler/sear puts future building in artwork. 2. Single artwork inspired modern building. 3. Careless forger tries to sell modern work as ancient.

Occam suggests 2 or 3. I am going with 3.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
those are not buildings on the right hand side. They are fishing boats. If you look to see his print titled "Fisherman at Teppozu" you can see the tops of the vessels are the same as what you are seeing on the right.

Some modern architecture in Japan mirrors ancient. It is not that far of a stretch to model the new tower after an old pagoda. Which is what that appears to be.

As for the artist. There is a lot of his work that is "trippy". find out what bridge that is, and you know what that is.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Don't you just love how Americans are soooooo convinced that they invented Science Fiction that they are willing to believe in time travelers before they believe in Japanese painters with imagination.

....and people wonder why the world views Americans as idiots.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Heres my two bits...
First bit: It's not a very elaborate design, the similarity could very easily be a coincidence, as they did have spires at that point in history, and despite their actual size at the time, art is wont to exaggerate.
Second bit: Perhaps someone was influence by said artwork? That's been done as well.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 12 comments
Email This Post to a Friend
"19th Century Woodblock Print Shows Modern Tower: Coincidence or Time Travel?"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More