Yoshitoshi 芳年: Ichikawa Sadanji as Gosho no Gorozo as Flowers 雪月花の内 花　御所五郎蔵／初代市川左団次

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)
Title: Flowers 雪月花の内 花　御所五郎蔵／初代市川左団次
Series: Snow, Moon and Flowers: Setsu Gekka no uchi
Date: 1890/8 (Meiji 23)

From Yoshitoshi’s last and most important set of actor prints, “Snow, Moon and Flowers (Setsugekka no uchi)”. Here is the actor Ichikawa Sadanji as Gosho no Gorozô, from the play Soga maoyô tateshi no goshozome. The complex story ends tragically, as usual. Here the actor wears brightly patterned garments and has a shakuhachi flute that is protrudes to the left .Pink blossoms rain down, intimating the tragic ending of the play; falling blossoms usually indicate a shortened life in the story, as they symbolize the impermanent nature of our existence.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Untrimmed and unbacked. Light crease to middle sheet and minor pigment transfer of artist’s seal at far lower right.
Dimensions: ôban triptych (37 x 75 cm)
Publisher: Akiyama Buemon
Literature: Beauty & Violence p.146, number 69.3.
Seal: carver’s: Hori-Yû
Signature: Yoshitoshi ga with “Yoshitoshi” oval seal in red

SKU: YOT858