Upon the Rocks | Samurai & Octopus

This artwork was originally created as a custom design for a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy. That is where the idea of giving the octopus a martial arts belt first came to life.

What began as a commission eventually became one of my favorite compositions, so I decided to develop it into a finished artwork.

The scene depicts a samurai locked in a fierce struggle against a giant octopus on a solitary rock surrounded by rough seas. Rather than simply attacking, the octopus feels like a trained opponent, wrapping its arms around the samurai with the confidence of an experienced grappler. The belt adds a subtle sense of humor without taking away from the intensity of the scene.

The composition itself was inspired by a woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada from the series Rien Kyokaku Den. I was drawn to the movement of the original figure and reimagined that pose into a completely different moment, replacing the bucket with the octopus's powerful arms while creating an entirely new story.

In the background, delicate cherry blossoms soften the dramatic atmosphere and quietly place the scene in spring, creating a contrast between the violence of the battle and the calm beauty surrounding it.