Comments - Fantastic depiction of Princess Takiyasha calling up an enormous toad to frighten off the samurai Mitsukuni. Her father, Taira no Masakado, was killed after declaring himself the new emperor in 940. After his death, Takiyasha went to live in his ruined palace at Soma, where she practiced sorcery, vowing to avenge her father's death. The emperor sent Oya Taro Mitsukuni to the palace to hunt down Masakado's conspirators, and the young beauty summoned up demons to battle him. She stands at right with a scroll containing a magic spell, looking down with dismay as Mitsukuni rests his knee atop one of Masakado's former retainers while another rushes up with a sword. A colony of bats swoops through the night sky among the ruin, with grasses growing wild and reed blinds hanging in tatters. The giant toad looms behind the beauty at right, its eyes glowing. A terrific image, beautifully detailed with embossing in the white kimono and fine bokashi shading in the sky. We've never come across this Chikanobu subject before.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 13 3/4" x 27 1/4" + margin as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. A few holes, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, a few creases, light ink bleeding, slight rubbing at edges. Please see photos for details. Good overall.