Eastern Brocades, Day and Night Compared - Designed in 1886, Chikanobu's extraordinary "Eastern Brocade" series features a fantastic range of subjects, including brave warriors, eerie ghosts, timeless beauties, and famous figures from traditional tales of triumph and treachery. These beautiful images bring the history and legends of Japan to life with colorful characters and a wonderful attention to detail. Note the appealing compositions and fine printing in these Meiji era masterworks, many of which include deluxe treatments such as burnishing, embossing, or the addition of mica. These attractive designs are a nice choice to collect or display.

Sansho Dayu, No. 47 - Yasu-hime and her brother Zushiomaru were sold into slavery by Sansho Dayu after their father Iwaka Masauji, a provincial governor, was overthrown. Iwaka's faithful samurai Tatebe Kanamenosuke tried to rescue the children, but was captured and sentence to death. On the day of his beheading, Sansho's daughter Osan turned into a bird and chewed the ropes off Tatebe, freeing the prisoner. Sansho realized that Tatebe was actually his son, and allowed Tatebe to kill him to atone for his evil ways. This scene shows the sister and brother pausing during their work to clasp hands, a rake and basket of leaves at their feet. Yasu-hime bites the sleeve of her robe with an anguished expression as she turns her head away. The inset above shows an angry Sansho threatening the beauty with a red hot poker. A poignant illustration from this classic story.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 12 7/8" x 8 7/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with nice color and detail as shown. Backed with paper. Some prints have toning at edges or a couple spots. Please see photos for details.