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YOSHITOSHI, Tsukioka (1839 - 92)		'A new selection of Eastern brocade pictures' (Shinsen azuma nishiki-e) 'Komurasaki lamenting at the grave of her lover Shirai Gompachi'
		Signed:                    Yoshitoshi Sealed:                    Yoshitoshi Publisher:              Tsunashima Date:                        1886 Size:                         oban diptych (c. 36 x 48 cms / 14 1/4" x 18 7/8") Impression: excellent Colors: excellent (extensive use of lacquer) Condition: near fine. - Album backing. ref. no.:  # 571592 Price:  € 1,350.00

The series 'Shinsen azuma nishike-e' was published between 1885 amd 1889, and the designs are based on episodes from kabuki plays. Other than in 'regular' kabuki prints, Yoshitoshi's designs do not depict real stage scenes, but rather set the stories in natural surroundings. Nor did he draw actors, but 'real' human beings. KOMURASAKI is seen here lamenting at the grave of her lover SHIRAI GONPACHI, and ready to kill herself. From the kabuki play Hiyoku no cho yume no Yoshiwara ('Lover's nightmare in the Yoshiwara') about these famous seventeenth-century lovers. Reference: - van den Ing/Schaap, "Beauty and violence ...", no. 55.19 - Segi, Shinichi, "Yoshitoshi - the splendid decadent ...", p. 69, no. 84 - Keyes, no. 479.19

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