Yoshitoshi 芳年: Rainy Moon–Kojima Takanori 雨中月 児島高徳

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)
Title: Rainy Moon--Kojima Takanori 雨中月 児島高徳

Series: One Hundred Aspects of the Moon月百姿 (Tsuki hyaku sugata)
Date: 1889

The warrior Kojima Takanori kneeling by a tree, praying for success in bringing Emperor Go-Daigo back to power. The moon glows a delicious yellow-orange behind him, shining through the clouds that bring the light rain that falls in very fine lines. The flowering cherry tree is still in bud behind him, meaning that the incident occurred in history in springtime. Takinori led a small force to rescue the exiled Go-Daigo and wrote a ten-character poem of encouragement for the emperor to see the next day on a cherry tree, knowing that the educated emperor would recognize the Chinese meaning and context, and the enemy guards would not.  Here he wears the straw cloak of a peasant for a disguise. This story is from the 14th century history called Taiheiki, the “Chronicle of the Grand Pacification”, which were full of stories like this one that Yoshitoshi’s audience would be familiar with. The emotional power of Yoshitoshi’s design is felt in full force with this example, as the impression is extremely early and we see the features and hair of the hero very clearly. Also note the woodgrain in the bottom of the print and the blindprinting in the white cartouche. 

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Unbacked.
Dimensions: ôban vertical (35.5 x 24 cm)
Publisher: Akiyama Buemon
Literature: John Stevenson, Yoshitoshi’s One Hundred Aspects of the Moon (San Francisco: San Francisco Graphic Society, 1992), number 72. See British Museum, Portland Art Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Seal: Yoshitoshi   Signature: Yoshitoshi

SKU: YOT917