Yoshitoshi: Competition of Drunks (Sold)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Title: Competition of Drunks
Series: Comparison of Drunken Stupors (Kigen kurabe)
Date: 1885

A Prostitute (Shôgi) and a Priest (Oshô). The prostitute at top is clearly unhappy, turning away from the client and leaning back towards him to give him a piece of her mind. She holds a long pipe in one hand and a cup in the other. The client is presumably behind the plate of food, from which the woman was unable to partake of. Bottom we see a Buddhist priest. He is obviously on the road, as the lantern and parcel he carries sit beside him. He looks wretched and sick, and grasps what is probably an empty sake cup. The prints in this rare series concern drunken conversations or monologues by people of various occupations. The writing is by Ryûtei Tanehiko (1783-1842), most famously the author of Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji. This was intended as a chûban series, but here is an uncut example of two designs.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition. Slight trimming of top image at right.
Dimensions: ôban
Publisher: Nogawa
Literature: Keyes numbers 470.9 and 470.10.
Signature: Ôju Yoshitoshi (giga?)

SKU: YOT721