Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)

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Roba kiwan o mochisaru zu, the best design from Shinkei sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts.” The set published by Sasaki Toyokichi, 1889. The well-known story relates how Watanabe no Tsuna cuts off the arm of the demon Ibaraki near the Rashomon Gate in Kyoto in 976. Watanabe locks the arm in a box. Subsequently he is visited by his wet-nurse who asks to see the arm, whereupon she seizes it and flies off revealing her true guise as that of the demon. The story was made into a no play, Ibaraki, and later a kabuki play.

Very fine first edition, fine colour and condition. Full size with the publishing details intact on left margin. The second edition (with only two-colour cartouche) is shown on the front cover of The Age of Yoshitoshi, The Rijksmuseum, 1990 and no. 47, p. 40. Signed Yoshitoshi.

Status: Sold