Twenty-four Accomplishments in Imperial Japan - Yoshitoshi's late series "Twenty-four Accomplishments in Imperial Japan" highlights important figures throughout the history of Imperial Japan, from both legend and real life. These terrific images include valiant samurai, brave retainers, loyal wives, and fantastic demons. Beautifully drawn with a wonderful sense of realism and finely printed with rich jewel-tone colors, these designs are a great example of Yoshitoshi's mature artistic style. A great choice for a Yoshitoshi collector.

Chujo-hime and the Spirit of Her Wicked Stepmother, 1887 - Terrific original Yoshitoshi print depicting the beautiful young Princess Chujo-hime. Her mother died when she was three, and she devoted herself to transcribing one thousand Buddhist sutras so that her mother could achieve salvation. Her wicked stepmother was jealous of her commitment to her deceased mother, so she abused the princess terribly. Chujo-hime was finally rescued by the nuns from Taimadera Temple and became a nun herself, weaving the famous Lotus Thread Mandela that can still be seen at Taimadera today. The beauty is shown here arranging lotus blossoms in a stone jar, a reference to the Lotus Mandela, menaced by the stepmother's spirit in the form of a serpent. The princess reacts calmly to the hissing snake, its red tongue flickering out of its mouth. The large lotus leaf behind her head almost forms a halo, implying her status as an incarnation of the Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Beautifully printed with embossing in the white kimono trim and burnishing in her black mantle. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has this image in its collection. A lovely print.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Image Size - 13 1/2" x 9 1/8" + top margin as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Backed with paper. Slight toning. Please see photos for details. Good overall.