Brocade Pictures for Moral Education - Between 1882 and 1884, a six-volume series titled "Brocade Pictures for Moral Education" (Nishiki-e shushindan) was published illustrating moral teachings. These images were likely used for classroom instruction on moral education, called "shushin," a program promoted by the Japanese government in reaction to the perceived lapse in public morals, attributed to poor Western influences. These prints feature realistically drawn scenes from ancient to modern times, exemplifying the highest standards of behavior. Interestingly, some of the designs use foreigners as examples. The six textbooks include smaller illustrations by Yoshitoshi in both color and black and white, and separate oban-size color woodblocks by several of Yoshitoshi's students.

Designs by Yoshitoshi for this series are extremely rare, and are not well-documented. They are aiban size, and are noted by some sources as an untitled series of foreign children and Confucian virtues, circa 1882. These unusual subjects are rarely seen on the market, and are a fantastic choice for a Yoshitoshi collector.

The Filial Piety of Myokuni, 1883 - Dramatic image of Myokuni mourning at the grave of her father, Tachibana Hayase. After being convicted, Hayase went into exile. Myokuni never left her father, and after his death, she became a nun. The scene shows her kneeling at the burial site, looking up with an anguished expression, her hands clasped in prayer and eyes shut. A crow perched on a branch overhead caws, while several others flutter around the desolate site. A fantastic design and a poignant image.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Image Size - 8" x 10" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with good detail as shown. Vertical centerfold. A few small repairs and spots, creasing. Please see photos for details.