Kuniyoshi's Sixty-nine Post Stations of the Kisokaido Road - Terrific print from Kuniyoshi's Kisokaido Road series, published between 1852 and 1853. The Kisokaido Road ran between Edo and Kyoto along a mountainous inland route, as opposed to the Tokaido Road, which followed the coast. Kuniyoshi created one design for each of the sixty-nine stations along the way, plus images for Edo and Kyoto. Each features a well-known figure from history or legend, along with a small inset depicting the station itself. These terrific illustrations feature wonderful detail and handsome settings, many with deluxe printing treatments such as fine bokashi shading or burnishing. A great choice for a Kuniyoshi collector or anyone interested in Japanese history and folklore.

Nojiri: Hirai Yasumasa and Hakamadare Yasusuke - Fantastic illustration from the classic tale of Hirai Yasumasa playing the flute on the lonely moor of Ichihara while walking home one night. His brother, Hakamadare Yasusuke (Kidomaru) snuck up on him, intent on robbing him of his elegant robe, but enchanted by Yasumasa's beautiful music, he stopped in his tracks. Dressed in fine court robes, the nobleman is completely absorbed in his playing as he wanders through the tall grasses. Kidomaru peers around the trunk of a tree, his sword ready in hand, waiting as his victim approaches. His vest features a Buddhist deity on the back, trimmed with black fur, worn over a geometric print kimono tucked into matching pants. The inset above shows a mountainous road near Nojiri. A terrific, atmospheric design from this famous story, beautifully detailed.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797-1861)

Image Size - 9 5/8" x 14"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail - a sharp, clean printing. A few prints have one or two tiny holes repaired from reverse. Faint soiling at edges. Please see photos for details. Very nice overall.