Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, "The Death-Stone on the Moor of Nasu"

Legend tells of a woman named Tamano no Mae who falls in love with the 12th century Emperor Toda, but who is soon discovered to be a nine-tailed fox. Her true identity is discovered one day and the Emperor's guards pursues and kills her at the Moor of Nasu. Her spirit enters a large stone, which is fatal to all who come near it. A beautiful evening scene with a full moon and flying geese adorning the evening sky.

Series: New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts
Date 1891
Size: Oban
Publisher: Sasaki Toyokichi
Condition: Excellent color and condition (original album backing; small printing spot on right margin)
Frame Shown: 16" x 24", Classic Wood, Clear Walnut

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's (1839-1892) Shinkei sanjurokkaissen (New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts) series of woodblock prints was the artist's last series of works completed between 1889 and 1892 before his death. The prints from this series are exemplary of Yoshitoshi's long interest on macabre and dark subjects, and is illustrative of his unique abilities to channel these subjects into beautifully captivating compositions. Tokaido Arts is pleased to offer a selection from one of Yoshitoshi's most famous series of woodblock prints.