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.

Yawata: Omi Kotoda and Yawata Saburo, 1852 - Terrific depiction of the warriors Omi no Kotoda and Yawata Saburo looking down at a row of troops making its way through the valley below, their standards and banners fluttering above the foliage. Both men wear traditional Heian era hunting dress, and the samurai at right grips a bow in one hand, three signal arrows tied at his back. These kabura or "turnip" arrows whistled when fired and were used to notify an enemy of an impending attack. His companion peers around the trunk of a pine tree, gesturing above the tall grass. A few streaks of rain slant across the gray sky, with a rainbow arcing high above the landscape as the sky lightens following a shower. The house-shaped inset at upper left shows a landscape view of rice fields with white mist at the foot of the mountains. The title cartouche is bordered with hunting equipment, including a bow, stirrup, arrow quiver, and woven hat. An incredible composition with beautiful color and soft shading.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 9 5/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Loss at top right corner, a few small holes, repaired. Small spot, slight rubbing at top right, notation on reverse. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.