Yoshitoshi: “A Woman Saving the Nation: A Chronicle of Great Peace” (Gokoku onna taiheiki) (Sold)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Title: “A Woman Saving the Nation: A Chronicle of Great Peace” (Gokoku onna taiheiki)
Date: 1886

The fifth Tokugawa shogun Tsunayoshi (1646-1709) dreams of his lover, the young beauty pictured larger and brighter than life on right. She is the picture of untroubled sweetness. To his left his wife holds a knife, seemingly guarding her husband from floozies even in his dream. The real reason she holds the knife is that she is about to stab the corrupt and conspiring minister Yanagisawa, who has threatened the life of her husband. She then kills herself, after “saving the nation”. There is extensive blindprinting and gauffrage in many areas of the design.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition.
Dimensions: ôban triptych
Publisher: Akiyama Buemon
Literature: See “The Bizarre Imagery of Yoshitoshi: The Herbert R. Cole Collection”, pl. 34, pg. 69.
Seal: Yoshitoshi
Signature: Ôju Yoshitoshi ga

SKU: YOT297