One Hundred Aspects of the Moon - Considered his masterwork, Yoshitoshi's series One Hundred Aspects of the Moon features one hundred oban size woodblocks, published between 1885 and 1892. These quiet and reflective prints, beautifully composed and drawn, feature subjects from traditional Japanese and Chinese history and legend, rendered with great sensitivity and emotion. The moon appears in all but a few prints, providing a unifying motif for the series.

Yoshitoshi's innovative designs for the Moon series are often elegantly spare, with simple backgrounds that focus attention on the human figure. He combines the western influences of realism and perspective with qualities from traditional Japanese and Chinese painting, such as the emphasis on calligraphic brushstroke. The figures are carefully drawn with beautiful linework, conveying a real sense of individual character, gesture, and emotion. Special printing techniques such as embossing and burnishing add a sumptuous touch where appropriate, but simple subjects are conveyed in a likewise manner, no less carefully observed.

Prints from the series were released singly or in groups every few months, with the final image completed shortly before Yoshitoshi's death. The series proved tremendously popular, with patrons lining up to purchase the new releases as soon as they became available. Today, One Hundred Aspects of the Moon remains Yoshitoshi's most well-known work, characterized by his artistry, compassion, and sensitivity in portraying the human experience.

Moon of the Lonely House - Stunning illustration from the famous story of the hag of the Lonely House on Adachi Moor, a tale that haunted Yoshitoshi throughout his lifetime. An old woman served a lord who suffered from a disease that could only be cured with the blood of children born in a certain month. The evil woman preyed on children, killing them and collecting the blood for her master. A hideous, wizened old crone, she peers around the entrance to her next victim's room, a flaming torch in hand printed in two colors. A knotted rope stretches across the scene, with a withered vine framing a view of the moon glowing in a deep black sky. An amazing design from this story and a Yoshitoshi masterpiece, with wonderful line work and fine bokashi shading in the sky.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

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

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.