The Story of Komurasaki and the Mound of Intertwined Wings

by Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Current Status

The Story of Komurasaki and the Mound of Intertwined Wings  by Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Original Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892) Japanese Woodblock Print
The Story of Komurasaki and the Mound of Intertwined Wings

Series; A New Selection of Eastern Brocade Pictures

The Story of Komurasaki and the Mound of Intertwined Wings - Terrific kabuki scene of the samurai Shirai Gompachi reading a long letter from his sweetheart Komurasaki. The pair fell in love when Gompachi rescued her from a gang of kidnappers. Later, Komurasaki sold herself to a Yoshiwara brothel to save her parents from poverty. The lovesick samurai decided to redeem her, but resorted to robbery and murder to obtain the needed funds, eventually facing the executioner for his deeds. In the scene at right, Gompachi stands beside a street lamp, reading the long letter from his lover. Cherry blossoms petals flutter down over the night sky, a sign of the intransigence of life. According to legend, after Gompachi's death, she convinced a wealthy patron to purchase her contract. As soon as she was free, she went to the graveyard where Gompachi was buried and committed suicide. The left scene shows her kneeling on the ground at the burial mound, gripping a knife in her hand and looking up with an anguished expression. A crow caws on a branch overhead, while another bird prepares to alight on the ground next a pair of crows. Includes burnishing in the black kimono. A fantastic design and poignant image from this popular tale that became the subject of many kabuki plays.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Image Size - 13 3/4" x 8 3/4"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Two separate panels. Stitching holes along inner edges from previous folio binding, a few small holes, repaired. Slight soiling, a few creases. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.

The Story of Komurasaki and the Mound of Intertwined Wings  by Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)
The Story of Komurasaki and the Mound of Intertwined Wings  by Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

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