Yoshitoshi - Kato Kiyomasa At The Fall Of Fushimi Castle

Yoshitoshi

Series: 24 accomplishments of imperial japan, plate: #9

The warrior Kato Kiyomasa stands looking back at the burning Fushimi castle. After ten days, they succeeded in taking the palace. He is dressed in full armor, with a naginata in his hand; beside him his horse.

It dates from towards the end of Yoshitoshi's career, when he was about forty-two. It thus dates from slightly before before his well-known masterpieces such as his great series "One Hundred Aspects of the Moon" (1885-1892), and "New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts" (often called simply "Thirty-Six Ghosts") (1889-1892).

Publishing commenced in 1881, and the first 16 prints were produced by the end of that year; a long hiatus then ensued, and the remaining 8 were only finally published 6 years later, in 1887. The reason for the delay is not known. When publication resumed, and the entire group was published as a set, some of the prints in the first group were re-issued with different colors .

The series was very popular while Yoshitoshi was alive, and it went through numerous printings. Several different states may be seen of these early printings (all with a red title cartouche); in some (perhaps the earliest, since it was the most work to produce) the text panel has several inclined bokashi stripes across it; in others (perhaps later), a simple band of bokashi at the top and bottom; and in others, no decoration at all.

Condition: Print color saturation and overall condition is very good. A bit yellow with age. Margins as shown. No tears or holes. Print is not backed.

Date: 1881

Publisher: Tsuda Genshichi (first edition)

http://www.yoshitoshi.net/series/24accomplishments.html