Yoshitoshi 芳年: Ronin Kaiga Yazaemon Fujiwara no Tomonobu Climbing a Wooden Support

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 芳年(1839-1892)
Title: Ronin Kaiga Yazaemon Fujiwara no Tomonobu Climbing a Wooden Support
Series: Individual Pictorial Biographies of the Loyalty of the Faithful Samurai (Seichu gishi meimei gaden)
Date: 1869

Kaiga Yazaemon Fujiwara no Tomonobu climbs on wooden building supports that we may presume are beneath the enemy’s compound. He is dressed in the garb that the 47 Ronin wore in their night attack of revenge in 1702. He holds his sword extended in his hand, perhaps waiting for any fleeing enemies who might be trying to escape the attack. Yoshitoshi excelled at showing figures in motion, as demonstrated here, and this contrasts to some of Kuniyoshi’s series of the Ronin that feature them holding more static poses.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition. Some minor surface soiling.
Dimensions: chuban (25 x 18 cm)
Publisher: Marujin
Literature: Keyes series 255.14.
Signature: Yoshitoshi hitsu

SKU: YOT834