August: Somezono Watching the Moon over Edo Bay, First Edition

by Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Current Status

August: Somezono Watching the Moon over Edo Bay, First Edition by Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Original Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892) Japanese Woodblock Print
August: Somezono Watching the Moon over Edo Bay, First Edition

Series; Pride of Tokyo's Twelve Months, 1880

Yoshitoshi's Pride of Tokyo's Twelve Months - Beautiful portrait from Yoshitoshi's series "Pride of Tokyo's Twelve Months."

A terrific, rare series of Yoshitoshi beauty prints that pre-dates his famous "Thirty-two Aspects of Women". This series was printed in a much smaller quantity than the 32 Aspects, and good prints from the Tokyo Twelve Month series are difficult to come by. Interestingly these designs were used as inspiration for the 32 Aspects and in several of the designs there are obvious strong similarities.

Each print features a noted beauty involved in a different activity associated with the month. These lovely designs portray women in scenes from daily life, highlighting seasonal celebrations and the beauty of nature throughout the year.

Detailed with fine line work in the hair and soft shading, some prints also include deluxe printing techniques such as burnishing or embossing. The prints offered in our auctions today are particularly well preserved, the best we have seen, with large full margins on top and left- as originally printed (in this printing style, there were no right and lower margin). A rare and wonderful choice for a collector and a fine complement to Yoshitoshi's more commonly found bijin designs.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Image Size - 14" x 9 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Slight soiling. A small hole, repaired. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.

August: Somezono Watching the Moon over Edo Bay, First Edition by Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)
August: Somezono Watching the Moon over Edo Bay, First Edition by Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

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