Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861) Title: Princess and Skeleton Size: Each Sheet Is (10.5 x 14.75. Overall: 31.5 x 14.75) Paper Type: Washie Rice Paper Medium: Woodblock print Province: Japan-Tokyo Format: Horizontal Triptych. Special Notes: Princess Takiyasha was the daughter of the provincial warlord Taira no Masakado who tried to set up an 'Eastern Court' in Shimsa Province in competition with the emperor in Kyoto. However, his rebellion was put down in AD 939 and Masakado was killed. After his death, Princess Takiyasha continued living in the ruined palace of Shimsa. This print shows the episode from the legend when the emperor's official, Aya no Mitsukuni, comes to search for surviving conspirators. The princess is reciting a spell written on a handscroll. She summons up a giant skeleton which comes rearing out of a terrifying black void, crashing its way through the tattered palace blinds with its bony fingers to menace Mitsukuni and his companion. Kuniyoshi, the artist, probably referred to an illustration in his collection of western prints to produce this grinning skeleton in all its accuracy of detail. ((Please note that this lot has a confidential reserve. When you leave a bid in advance of the auction, submit your maximum. The bidder who has submitted the highest bid wins the lot, provided the bid exceeds the reserve price)).

The print itself is a very good color impression and has never been framed excellent overall with no issues to report.