Calligraphy and Pictures for the Fifty-three Stations - Terrific design from a Tokaido Road series pairing images with verses in calligraphy for the different stations. Different artists contributed designs, including Yoshitora and Kunisada II. The large pictures include landscapes, figures from history and legend, and scenes from kabuki plays and folktales. Several prints feature comic illustrations, including the adventures and mishaps of Kita and Yaji, the bumbling travelers from the popular novel "Shank's Mare." Others include travelers in Western attire or distinctly modern Meiji subjects. These imaginative prints are beautifully detailed with attractive color and fine line work, and offer an interesting Meiji era take on the classic Tokaido subject. A great choice for collectors interested in life along the Tokaido Road.

Minakuchi in Omi Province: Scene in Morning Mist; Semimaru - Lovely Yoshitora design of a beauty traveling in the early morning, a full moon still glowing in the sky. She smiles as she admires the sight, holding her woven hat in one hand and gripping a walking staff with the other. She wears a beautiful red kimono patterned with purple and blue morning glories, and her hair is adorned with a cluster of delicate blue flowers. Behind her travelers on horseback and on foot are silhouetted against the gray road. The inset at upper right shows the blind musician Semimaru resting with his head atop his fan. A charming scene with wonderful shading in the night sky.

Artist - Yoshitora (active circa 1840 - 1880)

Image Size - 13" x 8 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Wormholes, some prints have losses at edges, repaired. Slight toning, soiling, and creasing. Some prints have wrinkling. Please see photos for details.