Lady Kido Suikoin, 1887 - Intriguing illustration of the Lady Kido Suikoin standing outside a sliding shoji screen, carrying two samurai swords. She looks back over her shoulder cautiously, perhaps listening to a conversation inside the room behind her. Suikoin was formerly a Kyoto geisha named Ikumatsu, and the mistress of the warrior Katsura Kogoro. He bought out her geisha contract, trained her to be a spy, and made good use of her political knowledge during the Meiji Restoration, which he favored. After the Restoration, he changed his name to Kido Takayoshi and married Ikumatsu, bestowing her with the name Kido Suikoin. A terrific image of a powerful woman, with beautiful architectural detail and fine shading, plus embossing in the white kimono collar and burnishing in the black sword cases. A great Yoshitoshi design from this series.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

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

Condition - With excellent color and detail. Backed with old paper. A couple light creases. A few light spots. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.