Eastern Brocades, Day and Night Compared - Designed in 1886, Chikanobu's extraordinary "Eastern Brocade" series features a fantastic range of subjects, including brave warriors, eerie ghosts, timeless beauties, and famous figures from traditional tales of triumph and treachery. These beautiful images bring the history and legends of Japan to life with colorful characters and a wonderful attention to detail. Note the appealing compositions and fine printing in these Meiji era masterworks, many of which include deluxe treatments such as burnishing, embossing, or the addition of mica. These attractive designs are a nice choice to collect or display.

Cat Monster of Saga, No. 44 - Terrific illustration from the tale of the cat monster of Saga, which harassed the Nabeshima family of Saga Castle. The cat monster killed Lord Nabeshima's mistress and took her form, sapping the daimyo's strength when she visited him each night. Guards were appointed to stay up and keep watch over the lord, but they always fell asleep. One night, the loyal retainer Ito Soda was allowed to help guard his master, and managed to stay awake by stabbing himself in the thigh with a knife. He saw the mistress in her true form, and was able to break her spell. She appears here smiling down at him, but an enormous cat rises in a cloud of smoke behind her, its eyes glowing yellow. Ito scowls at the beauty as he twists the knife in his wound, determined to remain alert and reveal her evil secret. A great design and a wonderful subject for a collector interested in supernatural stories.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 13" x 9" + margins

Condition - With excellent color and detail. Lightly toned in margins with a few small stains and areas of rubbing along edges. Slight creasing at corners with minor spotting in subject. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.