Momijigari (Maple Viewing) - Terrific scene from a legend about Lord Taira no Koremochi. He was wandering in the hills outside Kyoto hunting deer when he met up with a group of beautiful women, including a young princess. Koremochi joined them in a picnic, and ate and drank with the group. As he was dozing off, he was visited in his sleep by a messenger from the god of war who told him to be alert, draw his sword and slay one of the beauties as she was a demon disguised as a beautiful woman. In this illustration, Koremochi sits with a beauty standing behind him, but as indicated by the messenger, she is a demon and he sees her true nature reflected in the sake cup by his knee. She looks down at him with a slight smile as she lifts the robe covering her head. The wind blows her long hair and flutters her kimono. He stares solemnly at the sake, slowly drawing his sword as maple leaves drift down around him. A great design from this famous tale, detailed with cloth embossing and silver mica on the beauty's robes.

Artist - Toshihide (1863 - 1925)

Image Size - 13 3/4" x 18 3/8" + right margin as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Two separate panels, backed with paper. Some prints have slight separation at ends of vertical centerfold, repaired, or a couple creases at edges. Please see photos for details.