Utagawa Kuniyoshi
(1797 – 1861)

Kisokaido Rokujuku Tsugi
The Sixty-nine Post Stations of the Kisokaido Road
c. 1853

The station of Hosokute / No 49
Horikoshi Dairyo drawing his sword against the ghost of Asakura Togo in a scene from the Kabuki play Higashiyama Sakura soshi. In a cartouche above, a road through a group of pine trees.

Publisher: Yawata-ya Sakujiro
Carver: hori Takichi (Ota Utakichi)
1st edition print. Excellent condition and impression, fine colours with gauffrage and shomenzuri. Minor marks and flaws.
oban tate-e, full size
see in B.W. Robinson "Warrior Prints" S74.50
Sarah E. Thompson "Utagawa Kuniyoshi: The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido", no.49 p.114f

"Hosokute: Horikoshi Dairei and the Ghost of Asakura Togo - Incredible design depicting a scene from the kabuki play "Higashiyama Sakura soshi" (The Higashiyama Storybook), based on a true story. A local mayor named Asakura Togo (the real-life Kiuchi Sogoro) petitioned the shogun directly for tax relief for his town, bypassing the crooked governor Masatomo. As a result of his illegal act, he and his wife are sentenced to die by crucifixion, but must first watch their four children executed. The ghost of Asakura Togo returns to haunt those who wronged him, here startling the seated samurai Horikoshi Dairei in his bed. A ghastly blue hand extends from the sleeve of a heavy kimono lying across the bed, reaching up to touch the warrior's face as he turns away, drawing his sword. The gray shadow of the pleading Togo kneels before him, and the snow and bushes outside transform into skulls and a crucified figure. A fantastic supernatural scene from this famous tale, detailed with soft shading and a beautiful burnished geometric pattern in the warrior's black kimono. "
(fujiarts.com)