Taira Koremochi Vanquishes a Female Demon at Togakushi Mountain, 1887

by Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

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Taira Koremochi Vanquishes a Female Demon at Togakushi Mountain, 1887 by Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Original Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892) Japanese Woodblock Print
Taira Koremochi Vanquishes a Female Demon at Togakushi Mountain, 1887

Comments - Fantastic kakemono or vertical diptych of the nobleman Taira no Koremochi preparing to vanquish Kiji, the demon of Mount Togakushi, with his sword. While hunting deer in the hills outside Kyoto, Lord Koremochi ran into a party of beautiful women so he joined them in a picnic. Sleepy with wine, he dozed off, and dreamed of a messenger from the god of war warning him that one of the women was actually the demon Kiji, who intended to kill him. He awoke to see the woman's true nature reflected in the water below: a hideous horned demon with a leering face and shaggy hair. He grips the hilt of his sword, ready to swiftly draw it and attack the monstrous creature. On the bank, she towers over him, smiling sweetly from beneath the white kimono she holds draped over her head. The wind flutters her garments and sends a shower of colorful autumn maple leaves falling down through the sky. An incredible composition beautifully filling the vertical format. Detailed with intricate embossing in the white robes and soft bokashi shading in the water. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has this image in its collection. A terrific and rarely seen Yoshitoshi subject and a great choice for the serious collector.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Image Size - 27 3/4" x 9 1/4"

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Two panels, not attached at the seams, backed with thin paper. A few small holes at edges, repaired, blends well. Faint toning, slight soiling and creasing. Please see photos for details. Good overall.

Taira Koremochi Vanquishes a Female Demon at Togakushi Mountain, 1887 by Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)
Taira Koremochi Vanquishes a Female Demon at Togakushi Mountain, 1887 by Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

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