Yoshitoshi: Ronin with hammer Mase Magokurō Masatoki (間瀬 孫九郎 正辰)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)
Title: Ronin with hammer Mase Magokurō Masatoki (間瀬 孫九郎 正辰)
Series: Individual Pictorial Biographies of the Loyalty of the Faithful Samurai (Seichu gishi meimei gaden)
Date: 1869

One of the 47 Ronin, Mase Magokuro-o Masatoki (Manase Magokuro-o), is portrayed wielding an enormous sledge hammer, breaking up what looks to be stone, the pieces scattering with the force of his blows. He is dressed in the garb that the 47 Ronin wore in their night attack of revenge in 1702. He wears the two swords of a samurai, but perhaps here he is doing his part to demolish part of the enemy lord’s compound (?) or simply displaying the ferocity of his character. Yoshitoshi excelled at showing figures in motion, as demonstrated here, and in contrast to Kuniyoshi’s series of the Ronin that portrays them in more static poses.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition. Some minor surface wrinkles and spots.
Dimensions: chuban (25 x 18 cm)
Publisher: Marujin
Literature: Keyes series 255.14.
Signature: Yoshitoshi hitsu

SKU: YOT833