Yoshitoshi: The Depravity of the Abbot Seigen (Seigen daraka no zu) (Sold)

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Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Title: The Depravity of the Abbot Seigen (Seigen daraka no zu)
Date: Meiji 22 (1889)

The spirit of the the beauty Sakurahime possessing the priest Seigen. One version of the popular folk tale in which the abbot and the young beauty fall in love, become inseparable, and then one of them passes away. In this version she has died first, and the pitiful Seigen is left clutching her robe as her spirit manifests above him, or perhaps it is just her memory... This is a very early printing of this design, with hand-applied yellow pigment applied to Seigen’s face and claw-like fingernails.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Minor wear along right edge.
Dimensions: ôban vertical diptych
Publisher: Matsui Eikichi
Literature: See “The Splendid Decadent, figure 93 page 73. See also “The Bizarre Imagery of Yoshitoshi: The Herbert R. Cole Collection” by Keyes/Kuwayama, figure 36, page 70.
Seal: Yoshitoshi.
Signature: Yoshitoshi

SKU: YOT730