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.

Ranmaru and the Mysterious Sago Palm, No. 26 - Ranmaru, pictured in this print, was an intelligent retainer of Nobunaga who imported a Sago palm for his garden in Kyoto. The tree complained constantly about the cold weather and wanted to return to the tropical climate from which it came. Nobunaga sent Ranmaru out to cut down the tree because he was tired of the complaining. But, when the young man went into the garden, the tree had left and begun walking south. In this illustration Ranmaru has found the tree, but as it has left his master’s garden he spares it from being cut down and illuminates the way for the tree to escape. A terrific design.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

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

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. A few small stitching holes, repaired. Please see photos for details. Excellent condition.