Aoto Fujitsuna - Terrific scene of Aoto Fujitsuna directing men searching for coins lost in the Namerigawa River. A minister for the thirteenth-century Kamakura Shogunate, Fujitsuna was known for his thriftiness. According to one account, after losing a few coins in the river (about 10 mon), he spent 50 mon to buy torches so his servants could search for the missing money. When criticized for spending more than the lost coins were worth, he replied that without looking for them, the money would be lost forever and of no benefit to anyone. By spending 50 mon, he not only benefited the merchants who sold him the torches, but also recovered the money. His critics were silenced by his reasoning, and thought him extremely wise. Here, he waits on a rustic bridge, holding a flaming torch as two servants stand knee-deep in the water, one holding another torch while the other feels around on the river bottom. A handsome composition, nicely shaded and detailed.

Artist - Yasuji Inoue (1864 - 1889)

Image Size - 8 1/8" x 12 3/8" + decorative border as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Backed with old folio paper. Slight soiling, a few prints have slight rubbing or a few small spots. Please see photos for a sense of individual condition. Generally in nice condition overall.