Yoshitoshi 芳年: Kazan Temple Moon The Moon and the Helm of a Boat-- Taira no Kyotsune 舵楼の月　平清経 (Reserved)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) 芳年
Title: The Moon and the Helm of a Boat-- Taira no Kyotsune 舵楼の月　平清経  Series: One Hundred Aspects of the Moon 月百姿
Date: 1887

Haunting scene of the doomed Kiyotsune playing the flute before he jumps into the sea that lies far below the high stern of his family’s warship. Kiyotsune was the grandson of the ruthless Taira ruler Kiyomori, although here he is depicted as sensitive and thoughtful. The Taira clan were completely destroyed by the Minamoto clan in the twelfth century, and the story was recounted in the Heike monogatari, written in the 13th century. The moon shines full and bright, and other boats from the Taira fleet are seen in the distance. The butterfly design of the Taira crest are seen decorating the purple hangings below his seat. An evocative design that brings to mind the impermanence of life and the capriciousness of fate.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. With strong blindprinting in the title cartouche.
Dimensions: ôban 35.6 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 50. See British Museum, Portland Art Museum.
Signature: Yoshitoshi

SKU: YOT857