Yoshitoshi's Brocade Pictures for Moral Education - Between 1882 and 1884, a six-volume series titled "Brocade Pictures for Moral Education" (Nishiki-e shushindan) was published illustrating moral teachings. These images were likely used for classroom instruction on moral education, called "shushin," a program promoted by the Japanese government in reaction to the perceived lapse in public morals, attributed to poor Western influences. These prints feature realistically drawn scenes from ancient to modern times, exemplifying the highest standards of behavior. Interestingly, some of the designs use foreigners as examples. The six textbooks include smaller illustrations by Yoshitoshi in both color and black and white, and separate oban-size color woodblocks by several of Yoshitoshi's students.

Designs by Yoshitoshi for this series are extremely rare, and are not well-documented. They are aiban size, and are noted by some sources as an untitled series of foreign children and Confucian virtues, circa 1882. These unusual subjects are rarely seen on the market, and are a fantastic choice for a Yoshitoshi collector.

Komurasaki at Gompachi's Grave - Dramatic image of the courtesan Komuraski mourning at the grave of her sweetheart, the samurai Shirai Gompachi. The pair fell in love when Gompachi rescued her from a gang of kidnappers. Later, Komurasaki sold herself to a Yoshiwara brothel to save her parents from poverty. The lovesick samurai decided to redeem her, but resorted to robbery and murder to obtain the needed funds, eventually facing the executioner for his deeds. According to legend, after Gompachi's death, Komurasaki convinced a wealthy patron to purchase her contract. As soon as she was free, she went to the graveyard where Gompachi was buried and committed suicide. The scene shows her kneeling at the burial site, looking up with an anguished expression, her hands clasped in prayer and eyes shut. A crow perched on a branch overhead caws, while several others flutter around the desolate site. A fantastic design and poignant image from this popular tale.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Image Size - 8 1/4" x 10" + margins as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Backed with thin paper. Slight soiling and creasing. Please see photos for details. Good overall.