Yoshitoshi 芳年: Taira no Koremochi and Demoness 平惟茂

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 芳年 (1839-1892)

Title: Taira no Koremochi and Demoness 平惟茂

Series: Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan 大日本名将鑑(Dai nippon meisho kagami)

Date: 1879

Taira no Koremochi brandishes his sword at the demoness Kijo, who has just flown into the air to avoid his blade. He braces the white silk with his left hand, holding it away from his face as the magical wind forces it upwards. Our gaze is masterfully pulled from the bottom of the scene towards the top, which Yoshitoshi has accomplished using the overall shape of an inverted pyramid. This famous scene is from the play “Maple Viewing” (Momijigari), and we see maple leaves scattering about as a visual hint to the story. The demon had previously worn the appearance of the beautiful princess Sarashinahime, and this is the dramatic fulcrum of the story where her true form is revealed. Her visage is full of fury, and she clutches a clump of her voluminous hair with one hand as it billows about her face, echoing the volume of a kabuki wig. Probably the best design in the series. With blindprinting in the silk brocade and in the cartouche.

Condition: Excellent impression and color. Very good condition. Untrimmed and unbacked. Minor center fold, barely noticeable. An unusually fine impression from the first edition. Dimensions: ôban 37.2 x 25 cm
Publisher: Funazu Chujiro
Literature: See “Beauty & Violence” , series number 27; Keyes 334.34. See MFA Boston, Tokyo National Museum.
Seal: Taiso  Signature: Ôju Yoshitoshi

SKU: YOT931