Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, "Taira no Koremochi Vanquishing the Demon of Mount Togakushi"

The 10th century Lord Koremochi one day sets out to hunt deer in the hills above Shinano. During his hunt, he comes upon a princess and her attendants picnicking and dancing among the fall colored trees. He joins them and later falls asleep. Awakened by a dream, Koremochi sees the princess looming over him and notices her demonic reflection in a cup. Koremochi draws his sword and kills it. Beautiful colors and composition makes this work a standout from the series.

Series: New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts
Date 1889
Size: Oban
Publisher: Sasaki Toyokichi
Condition: Excellent color and condition (original album backing; light trimming)
Shown in Classic Wood, Walnut Frame

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.