Yoshitoshi: The Peony Lantern; Love’s Ghost (SOLD)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Title: The Peony Lantern; Love’s Ghost
Series: “New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts”
Date: 1891

Botan Dôrô, The Peony Lantern. Soft colors and a three-color cartouche indicate a first edition of this subtle design. Otsuyu, the daughter of a high-ranking samurai, dies of her desperate longing for the ronin Higiwara Shinzaburô. Her nursemaid Oyone commits suicide to follow her into death to continue to serve her. The ghosts of these two women light the peony lantern and visit Shinzaburô every night until his untimely death.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition. First edition. Backed.
Dimensions: ôban (35.6 x 23.8 cm)
Literature: See “Something Wicked from Japan: Ghosts, Demons and Yokai in Ukiyo-e Masterpieces”, page 89.
Seal: Taiso
Signature: Yoshitoshi

SKU: YOT509