Handsome and Brave Heroes of the Suikoden - In 1866, Yoshitoshi began work on a fantastic 50 print series called the "Handsome and Brave Heroes of the Suikoden" (Biyu Suikoden). Instead of depicting the traditional characters from the novel "Suikoden," Yoshitoshi chose to use his own set of heroes from Japanese history and legend for this series. He also incorporated spirits and monsters, resulting in a very unusual and creative twist on the classic Suikoden theme. These bold and lively images feature beautifully colored and detailed figures in striking poses, many with supernatural or magical creatures. Some feature deluxe embellishments such as embossing or burnishing. These early chuban designs by Yoshitoshi are a great choice for a collector interested in this legendary tale. 

Yufu Tsunade Threatened by a Snake, 1866 - Dramatic image of the beauty Yufu Tsunade bravely facing an enormous snake. She grips a dagger in one hand as she looks up at the serpent, which hisses at her from above, its body coiled around a standing screen, its eyes glowing yellow. She wears a violet kimono bordered with wave-like shapes and cherry blossoms, tied with a black obi with a bright floral print. A terrific composition with wonderful detail in the intricate scales of the snake. A great design from this fantastic early Yoshitoshi series.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Image Size - 9 1/4" x 6 5/8"

Condition - This print with good color detail as shown. A few small holes, repaired. Slights soiling and rubbing, a few marks. Please see photos for details. Good overall.