Yoshitoshi: Competition of Drunks; Student and Prostitute (Sold)

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

A Poor Student (Hin shosei) and a Prostitute (Shinzô). The student reclines and drinks directly from the bottle. Before him are types of what looks like fast food or inexpensive street food. A lamp and what look like matches lie in front of him as well. He seems to be drinking alone. At bottom a prostitute seems to be miming a horror story to an unseen guest. The sake bottle and cup are before her. 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. Minor backing remnants.
Dimensions: ôban
Publisher: Nogawa
Literature: Keyes numbers 470.1 and 470.2.
Signature: Ôju Yoshitoshi (giga?)

SKU: YOT724