Yoshitoshi: Competition of Drunks; Geisha and Painter (Sold)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Title: Competition of Drunks; Geisha and Painter
Series: Comparison of Drunken Stupors (Kigen kurabe)
Date: 1885

A Geisha (geigi), top, and a Literati Painter (Bunjinga no sensei), bottom. The Geisha kneels forward, her sake cup spilling liquid and the sake flask standing nearby. She has put down her shamisen and her hair and clothing are unkempt. The Literati Painter has put down his brushes and put aside his artwork, which consists of a few squiggles. The sake cup is in front of him, but he looks as though he is about to lie down. His clothing is unkempt, although he obviously belongs to the moneyed class by his garments. The prints in this rare series concern drunken conversations or monologues by people of various occupations. The writing is by Ryûtei Tanehiko (1783-1842), most famously the author of Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji. This was intended as a chûban series, but here is an uncut example of two designs.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition.
Dimensions: ôban
Publisher: Nogawa
Literature: Keyes numbers 470.7 and 470.8.
Signature: Ôju Yoshitoshi (giga?)

SKU: YOT722