Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, "The Heavy Basket"

Based on a fable, this print centers on the story of an old man who befriends a sparrow. One day, his neighbor catches the sparrow eating her food and cuts off the sparrow's tongue. Upset, the old man goes into the forest and finds the sparrow, who offers him one of two baskets as a reward for his kindness. The old man humbly selects the smaller basket and uncovers gold, silk, and jewels. Hearing of this, the old woman sets out to find the sparrow and feigns remorse. The sparrow offers her two baskets, and with greed guiding her to choice, she chooses the larger basket, which is filled with ghosts and goblins. She is quickly devoured. A marvelously eye-catching yokai woodblock print by the great Yoshitoshi!

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.