Gekko's Essays - Begun in 1886, "Gekko's Essays" (Zuihitsu) is a wonderful series encompassing a wide range of subjects. Gekko depicts figures from history and mythology, including famous beauties, poets, scholars, and warriors, along with a few supernatural creatures. These handsome designs are rendered in Gekko's distinctive painterly style, with soft washes of color and flowing calligraphic line work, expertly printed by Matsuki Heikichi to capture these qualities. The series was completed by 1887, but woodblocks are found with dates up to 1899, proving the popularity of the designs, which continued to be printed. A great choice to collect or display.

Rosei Dreaming - Interesting scene of Rosei (Lu Sheng in Chinese) sleeping on a bench in a palace, lost in his dreams. While traveling, he stopped to rest at an inn and was given a special pillow said to provide dreams of enlightenment. A cloud above his head illustrates his dream of ruling in a palace for fifty years, with a beautiful young woman waiting on a verandah for him. His shoes are carefully set on the floor before him, and a cloth wrapped bundle and umbrella rest nearby. When Rosei awoke, he discovered that only a few moments had passed, and that his reign was just a dream. Nicely detailed with soft color and beautiful embossing on the woven mat covering the bench.

Artist - Gekko (1859 - 1920)

Image Size - 12 3/4" x 8 1/2" + margins as shown

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