Comments - Intriguing scene of a Minamoto no Yoshimitsu and a young samurai seated on low platforms at Mount Ashigara, with Yoshimitsu playing a reed pipe called a sho. The young man is Toyohara Tokiaki, the son of the master sho player who had taught Yoshimitsu how to play the instrument. Tokiaki had followed Yoshimitsu as he left to go into battle, wanting to join him. Instead, Yoshimitsu invited him to sit down and listen as he played a beautiful old song that his father had taught him, to urge him to remain at court at carry on his father's musical legacy. Tokiaki bows his head low as he listens, leaning on a folding fan, a small drawstring bag before him. Yoshimitsu wears armor over a red robe patterned with birds and scrolls, the sword hanging at his side encased in a tiger skin sheath. A fur-covered quiver of arrows is visible at his back. A few misty clouds drift before a softly glowing full moon, and a pine tree frames a view of distant mountains in silhouette. A quietly moving image, beautifully detailed with fine line work and a delicate burnished pattern in the black caps. A handsome Chikanobu triptych.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 13 3/4" x 28" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Horizontal and vertical folds. Small holes, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, small stain. Please see photos for details.