Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

1839-1892

One Hundred Aspects of the Moon: no. 19, The Moon of Ogurusu in Yamashiro
(Tsuki hyakushi: Yamashiro Ogurusu no tsuki)

signed Yoshitoshi with artist's seal Taiso, carver's seal of Enkatsu, published by Akiyama Buemon, dated 1886, second month, first day

oban tate-e 35.9 by 23.9

This print is one of many in Yoshitoshi's One Hundred Aspects of the Moon series relating to the political upheaval of Japan's late Sengoku Period (1467-1603). It depicts a peasant lying in wait for Akechi Mitsuhide (1528-1582), the general who assassinated Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) and had himself installed as shogun. Mitsuhide would only hold the title for 13 days before he was murdered by peasants in his home province Yamashiro. His murder was an example of gekokujo (the poor oppressing the rich), which was more common in 16th century Japan as a result of years of civil war and unrest. For the peasant pictured here, killing this high born general would have offered an expedited means of social advancement.

References:
John Stevenson, Yoshitoshi's One Hundred aspects of the moon, 2001, no. 19
Arendie & Henk Herwig, Heroes of the Kabuki Stage, 2004, p. 282, cat. no. 30.4

(inv. no. 10-1867)

price: Sold