Fifteen Generations of a Great Family Tree - Terrific woodblock print featuring two chuban designs from Yoshitoshi's rarely seen series "Fifteen Generations of a Great Family Tree." The series depicts the fifteen Tokugawa shoguns, along with a second image of Tokugawa Ieyasu and his four generals, needed to make an even number of pages for printing. Realistically drawn and rendered with vibrant color, these handsome images illustrate famous episodes from the lives of these great leaders, including scenes from courtly life, hunting, and military campaigns. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has this series in its collection. An interesting series we've never offered before, in rare uncut format.

No. 15, the Fourteenth Shogun, Lord Iemochi and No. 16, the Fifteenth Shogun, Lord Yoshinobu - The print at top depicts Shogun Iemochi and a few samurai standing on the embankment of a bay with heavily laden cargo ships coming into port. Below, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the fifteenth and final Tokugawa Shogun, is shown looking out the window at clouds of smoke and dust rising from a battle below. Yoshinobu resigned in 1867 following the Boshin Wars against samurai loyal to the emperor and Imperial Troops. After his reign, the Meiji emperor was restored as the ruler of Japan.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Image Size - 14" x 9 1/4"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Paper remnants on reverse from previous backing. A few small holes, repaired. A couple faint stains, slight soiling, a few creases. Please see photos for details. Good overall.