Yoshtoshi - One Hundred Ghost Stories from China and Japan
Yoshtoshi - One Hundred Ghost Stories from China and Japan
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Lady Kayō, Consort of Prince Hanzoku of India, Holding a Severed Head. An image of a beautiful but evil woman who ruined a nation by seducing its ruler away from his duties was a familiar subject during certain periods of Chinese and Japanese history. Lady Kayo was a character in "The Story of the Magic Fox Woman", a fifteen-volume novel published between 1804 and 1805. The book describes the misadventures, of a golden fox with nine tails whose various manifestations possessed the consorts of rulers in India, China, and Japan. In each kingdom, the fox caused havoc until it was recognized and exorcised or otherwise dispatched. In the novel, Lady Kayo was the consort of Prince Hanzoku, a ruler in southern India. She took ill, and a physician, suspecting her true nature, gave her a special herb, whereupon the fox assumed its true shape and flew into the air. From the series One Hundred Ghost Stories from China and Japan (Wakan hyaku monogatari).
This series dates from early in Yoshitoshi's career. It was one of his first major series, and his first to illustrate ghosts. It was an ambitious attempt by Yoshitoshi, but only 26 of the 100 prints were ever published. The series was based upon a game where fearsome stories are told by candlelight - one light being extinguished after each story told. This is one of the best prints in the series.
Publisher: Daikokuya Kinnosuke (Kinjirô)
Date: 1865
Size: 18.5 inches x 13.8 inches
Condition: Print is in very good condition, not backed but backing remnants and some minor repairs which you can see on the reverse.
Genre: Ukiyo-e
Medium: Woodblock Print
https://collections.lacma.org/node/191251
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Who Was Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892) was one of the most influential figures of late ukiyo-e and is widely regarded as the last great master of the tradition. Born in Edo to a prosperous merchant family, he showed artistic talent at an early age and became a student of Utagawa Kuniyoshi at just eleven years old. Under Kuniyoshi’s guidance, Yoshitoshi absorbed both classical woodblock techniques and Western approaches to shading, realism, and perspective, which helped shape the distinctive, dramatic style that defined his career.
Yoshitoshi first gained attention for powerful warrior prints and intense historical scenes, but he became especially known for his graphic muzan-e (“cruel pictures”) depicting violence, murder, and warfare. These works reflected both the turbulent social climate of the late Edo and early Meiji periods and his own personal struggles with mental health and financial hardship. His figures were more naturalistic and psychologically expressive than those of many contemporaries, combining traditional ukiyo-e design with a heightened sense of realism and emotion.
Later in life, Yoshitoshi turned increasingly toward poetic, imaginative, and elegant subjects. Masterpieces such as One Hundred Aspects of the Moon, Thirty-two Aspects of Women’s Customs and Manners, A Collection of Desires, and New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts reveal a quieter lyricism and technical refinement that contrast with his earlier brutality. Through these diverse bodies of work, Yoshitoshi preserved and revitalized ukiyo-e at a time when the medium was in decline, securing his legacy as its final great innovator.
Yoshitoshi Videos
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Yoshitoshi's Women - Woodblock Prints
View on YouTubeAmong the many woodblock print masters who depicted women in their work, Tsukioka Yoshitoshi stands out. Learn about his most celebrated series.
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Fujiwara no Yasumasa
View on YouTubeExplore Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s legendary 1882 triptych Fujiwara no Yasumasa Plays the Flute by Moonlight. Learn the history behind the print.
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Unboxing Yoshitoshi woodblock prints
View on YouTubeJoin me as we unbox 4 Yoshitoshi prints that we won at auction, for the first time. We'll examine the prints and discuss the stories and history behind them.
Collector Reviews
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It's a great looking piece which I am very happy and excited to add to my small collection! I really appreciate it.
I enjoy your YouTube videos and I look forward to picking up more prints from you in the future.
Rick
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Dear Mr. Richard, opening the package and seeing the incredible bright colours and ornamental abundance of Yoshitoshi's diptych, it was just as printed today! It will be a pleasure to get more of your fine selected prints.
L. F.
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Josh and I just opened the package and want to thank you for this amazing Hiroshige print. The condition is better than we expected. Lovely to look at, will bring the family great joy. Happy New Year and thank you again.
J.
Guaranteed Authentic
All our original woodblock prints are guaranteed authentic as described and shown. Unlike some print resellers, we don't make any Photoshop enhancements or add filters to our print images. Please check the print images front and back carefully before purchase, if you'd like additional pictures feel free to contact us. If, after purchase, you're not satisfied for any reason, return your print for a full refund within 30 days.