1876 Toshikazu Triptych Two Heroes at Mt. Ryozanpaku Suikoden Water Margin Meiji Woodblock

Details

Description

A dramatic winter duel from the most beloved adventure novel of East Asia: at the foot of Mount Ryozanpaku (Liangshan), … Read more A dramatic winter duel from the most beloved adventure novel of East Asia: at the foot of Mount Ryozanpaku (Liangshan), the heroes Lin Chong and Yang Zhi clash in the falling snow while their leader Oro (Chao Gai) urges them on from a boat on the river. This complete triptych, dated Meiji 9 (1876) and published by Katada Chojirō, is a superb example of the Suikoden (Water Margin) genre that electrified Edo and Meiji audiences - the same tradition that inspired Kuniyoshi's famous Suikoden heroes.

The three sheets, each approximately 37 x 25 cm, span roughly 75 cm (29.5 in) combined. The printing is good ('suri yoshi') and the set was well preserved, with only slight fading, minor edge wear and light soiling from more than a century of storage, as described by the Japanese seller and visible in the photographs.

Details
Artist: Toshikazu (Toshimitsu, 年光), active Meiji era
Subject: Two Heroes Battling at the Foot of Mt. Ryozanpaku (梁山泊麓両傑争勇); Lin Chong vs. Yang Zhi
Date: Meiji 9 (1876)
Publisher: Katada Chojirō (片田長治郎)
Medium: Original Japanese woodblock print (nishiki-e)
Format: Complete oban triptych (three sheets)
Sheet size: approx. 37 x 25 cm each (approx. 29.5 x 14.6 in combined)
Origin: Japan
Condition: Used. Good printing and preservation; slight fading, minor edge wear, light soiling. See less