The Story of Tamiya Botaro, 1886 - Handsome illustration based on the true story of Tamiya Botaro. While Botaro was a young child, a fencing master murdered his father, and the boy swore to avenge his father's death. He is shown here sitting alongside a pool bordered with lotus blossoms and leaves that tower above him, watching as his faithful nurse Otsuji lifts a bucket of water from a well. She wears a delicately embossed white robe, her long hair flowing loosely over her shoulders. When Botaro was imprisoned by the fencing master, who planned to murder him as well, Otsuji did penance under a waterfall, praying for the boy's release. She finally drowned herself so that the gods could take her soul in exchange for the boy's, and then he was released. At the age of seventeen, Botaro finally avenged his father's death. An attractive design from this poignant tale, with soft shading in the water and sky.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Image Size - 14" x 18 3/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Two attached panels. Slight paper remnants at top edge from previous mounting. A couple holes, repaired. Slight toning, soiling, and creasing, slight glue residue where panels are attached. Please see photos for details.