Yoshitoshi: Sogo Goro Gallops Bareback to Oiso Triptych

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)
Title: Soga no Goro Gallops Bareback to Ôiso to Avenge his Father’s Death
Date: 1885

We feel the speed of the horse and the determination of the young rider in this amazing design, where the figures almost burst free from the page, and no background is visible, only the white of the wind. This is from the 12th century story, The Revenge of the Soga Brothers, which was a popular subject for Noh, bunraku and kabui. Here the young Soga no Goro uses a bamboo branch to goad his horse to speed in order to reach his brother; he uses a striped cloth as reins and seems to have only a rope to hooks his toes into as stirrups. His too-young face is determined, and the Chinese-style brushwork of the horse is done in a style that is rather unusual for a Yoshitoshi print, but conveys the vigor of the horse in a spectacular fashion.  The translation of the brushstrokes into woodblock by the engravers  is also a testament to Meiji expertise. During Yoshitoshi’s time, everyone would have been very familiar with the story of the Soga Brothers, who avenged the killing of their father when they were still at a very tender age. This is the only Yoshitoshi print known to have been issued by the publisher Fukuda Yasush. Very scarce design.

Condition: Some trimming at top, but not on the sides, which matter more. Fold near left edge of rightmost sheet. 
Dimensions: ôban Triptych 36 x 75 cm
Publisher: Fukada Yasushi
Literature: See “Beauty & Violence” number 56, page 79. See Philadelphia Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Signature: Ôju Taiso Yoshitoshi

SKU: YOCS063