Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, "Ranmaru and the Mysterious Sago Palms"

Mori no Ranmaru was a 16th century samurai who would die at the hands of Azechi Mitsuhide. It is said that one evening Ranmaru sees a vision in a grove of sago palms which foretold his eventual death. A beautifully composed woodblock print showing Ranmaru in a pose that captures his apprehension when gazing into the dark sago palm grove.

Series: New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts
Date 1891
Size: Oban
Publisher: Sasaki Toyokichi
Condition: Light spot bottom, otherwise excellent color and condition (original album backing; light trimming)
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.