Yoshitoshi 芳年: A Ghost Jizō Startles a Near-Sighted Old Man at Asajigahara (Sold)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 月岡芳年 (1839-1892)
Title: A Ghost Jizo Startles a Near-Sighted Old Man at Asajigahara
Series: Crazy Pictures of Famous Places in Tokyo (Tokyo kaika kyôga meisho) 東京 開花 狂画 名所
Date: 1881

We see a statue of the protector Jizo transforming into a spooky ghost at night, making a face by pulling down on his his yellow eyes and opening wide his huge red mouth to frighten this passerby. We see the signs of his real identity, as he is part of a plinth with a Buddhist symbol and he has the circle on his forehead where a jewel might sit on a statue. The old man peers with interest through a pair of spectacles and holds up his lantern, a fringed shawl tied around his shoulders. Much of the humor comes from the old man’s lack of fright, and how hard the apparition is working at being scary.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. With mica in the black sky. 
Dimensions: chuban (18.6 x 24.4 cm)
Publisher: Tsunashima Kamekichi
Literature: Keyes 436 (series) and Philadelphia Museum of Art
Signature: --Yoshitoshi giga

SKU: YOT819