The Fifty-three Pairs for the Tokaido Road - Around 1845, Hiroshige, Kuniyoshi, and Toyokuni III (Kunisada) contributed designs to a Tokaido series titled "The Fifty-three Pairs (or Parallels) for the Tokaido Road." The series featured images of historical figures, legends, and ghost stories associated with the different stations along this famous route. The series title appears in a black cartouche at upper right, with a narrative in an inset at left, and a scene illustrating the story below. An interesting take on the classic Tokaido series, these prints feature lively and animated designs of warriors and beauties or ghosts and spirits, instead of typical travelers, bringing the highway to life. A great choice for a collector interested in Japanese tales and legends.

Ejiri: The Story of the Pine Tree of the Feather Cloak at Miho Bay - Wonderful illustration from one of the most popular Noh plays of all time, "The Feather Robe" (Hagoromo). A priest finds a magical feather robe belonging to a Tennin, a heavenly Buddhist spirit, hanging upon a pine tree and takes it home. The Tennin, who cannot fly without the robe, pleads with the priest to return it to her. He finally agrees, but only if she will dance for him, so she performs a beautiful dance and is able to return to heaven. Here the spirit rises above the pine tree in a cloud of pink smoke, her feather coat tucked safely under her arm. Mt. Fuji rises majestically in the distance. A lovely image with incredible detail and soft shading.

Artist - Hiroshige (1797 - 1858)

Image Size - 13 7/8" x 8 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Backed with paper. Stitching holes along one edge. A few small wormholes repaired. Some soiling or rubbing as shown. Please see photos for details. Good overall.