Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Japanese, 1839-1892
The Story of Jirozaemon of Sano, 1886
from the series: Newly Selected Edo Color Prints
Published by Akiyama Buemon
With Taiso seal (Great Resurrection) of artist
Nishiki-e (color woodblock print)
Oban format
Diptych
Museum Collection
Purchased with grant from the Carpenter Foundation
The more spectacular courtesans of the pleasure district seemed
like goddesses to visiting country bumpkins, like Jirozaemon. He
fell in love with Yatsuhashi while she was parading through the
streets, and murdered her and a crowd of other people out of
jealousy, when she refused his advances for a more attractive
suitor. Kabuki theater staged this possibly true tale, which
embodies both the adoration and persecution of courtesans.
Yoshitoshi's version of the tale stains the spectator with blood
and poetry, while the courtesan's love letters fly away like
birds.
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