Calligraphy and Pictures for the Fifty-three Stations - Terrific design from a Tokaido Road series pairing images with verses in calligraphy for the different stations. Different artists contributed designs, including Yoshitora and Kunisada II. The large pictures include landscapes, figures from history and legend, and scenes from kabuki plays and folktales. Several prints feature comic illustrations, including the adventures and mishaps of Kita and Yaji, the bumbling travelers from the popular novel "Shank's Mare." Others include travelers in Western attire or distinctly modern Meiji subjects. These imaginative prints are beautifully detailed with attractive color and fine line work, and offer an interesting Meiji era take on the classic Tokaido subject. A great choice for collectors interested in life along the Tokaido Road.

Ishiyakushi in Ise Province: Cherry Blossoms and Iga no kami Minamoto Yoshitsune - Beautiful portrait of the great warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune sitting under a blossoming cherry tree. He wears a fine suit of armor and a horned battle helmet topped with a golden dragon, and holds a folding fan with the red sun emblem of Japan. The young samurai looks to the side with a solemn expression, his bow in hand and a quiver of arrows visible at his back. The scene above shows a quiet winter landscape with a couple of men traveling through a snow, and the verse inset features a softly glowing full moon. A lovely design contrasting the spring and winter scenes, with fine detail and attractive color.

Artist - Yoshitora (active circa 1840 - 1880)

Image Size - 13 1/4" x 8 5/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Faint toning, slight soiling and rubbing near edges. A couple small stains in margins. Please see photos for details. Good overall.