Yoshitoshi - The Courtesan Miyagino

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Miyagino and her sister Shinobu plotting to revenge the death of their father (Keisei Miyagino imōto Shinobu - 傾城宮城野妹しのぶ). From the series '24 Accomplishments in Imperial Japan' (Kōkuku nijūshi kō - 皇國二十四功).

Miyagino and Shinobu, whose whose farmer father was murdered by the samurai Shiga, swore to avenge his death. In secret they trained themselves in the martial arts. They then went to the local daimyo and challenged Shiga to a duel, killing him in the fight that followed. The image depicts the meeting of Miyagino and Shinobu in the brothel where Miyagino works. After the death of their father, Shinobu went in search of her sister in Edo. Arriving at the brothel, her country dialect is incomprehensible to the courtesans there, except for Miyagino. After questioning Shinobu, Miyagino discovers they are sisters, hears of their father's death, and the two plot revenge.

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. One of the best in series, also in LACMA and MFA museums.

Condition: Print color saturation and overall condition is very good. Margins as shown. No tears. Not backed

Date: 1881

Publisher: Tsuda Genshichi (first edition)

Genre: Ukiyo-e

Medium: Woodblock Print

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