Yoshitoshi's Thirty-Six Ghosts - In this incredible series, Yoshitoshi illustrated thirty-six of his favorite tales from Japanese history and legend. From charming folk stories to bloody tales of revenge, the series is the work of the artist's maturity and Yoshitoshi explores the subjects with great subtlety and psychological perception. As interesting to Yoshitoshi as the ghosts and monsters, are the human beings to whom they appear. Yoshitoshi was immensely popular in the last years of his life and the ghost series was greeted with great enthusiasm and a rush to collect among the Japanese public.

Today, prints from Yoshitoshi's Thirty-six Ghosts series are some of the most highly sought after prints on the market. A wonderful area of collecting for the Yoshitoshi enthusiast.

The Ghost of Wicked Genta Yoshihira Attacking Namba Jiro at Nunobiki Waterfall, No. 19, 1889 - Fantastic image of the ghost of Wicked Genta Yoshihira appearing in a violent thunderstorm at Nunobiki Waterfall to strike his murderer dead. At the young age of fifteen, the samurai Minamoto no Yoshihira had already earned the nickname Kamakura Akugenta or Wicked Genta of Kamakura for murdering his uncle. He fought alongside his father during the Genpei War between the Minamoto and Taira clans, and was captured by Taira no Kiyomori, who ordered him to be executed. The Taira retainer Namba no Jiro cut off Yoshihira's head at Nunobiki Waterfall. Yoshihira's body immediately leapt into the sky, generating a tremendous storm and striking Namba dead with a bolt of lightning. Here, the spirit grimaces with rage amidst a swirling maelstrom of clouds, reaching forward with his hand to exact revenge. A terrific design with a dramatic composition, beautiful bokashi shading, and handsome wood grain impression.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Image Size - 13" x 8 7/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Tiny loss at edge, repaired. Slight soiling at edges, slight creasing. Please see photos for details.