Yoshitoshi: Competition of Drunks; Merchant and A Young Man Who Tries to Appear Elegant (Sold)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Title: Competition of Drunks; Merchant and A Young Man Who Tries to Appear Elegant
Series: Comparison of Drunken Stupors (Kigen kurabe)
Date: 1885

A Merchant (Akyûdo) with square features raises his sake flask towards the viewer, perhaps summoning more sake. He is dressed informally in the summer, and behind him smoke rises to dispel insects. His meal tray sits on the ground in front of him. At bottom we see a man holding a fan and seeming to listen intently to the talk around him. We see a tray of food that is half-eaten. 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. Minor backing remnants.
Dimensions: ôban
Publisher: Nogawa
Literature: Keyes numbers 470.17 and 470.19.
Signature: Ôju Yoshitoshi (giga?)

SKU: YOT726