100 Aspects of the Moon # 52 by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (Taiso) (1839-1892)

Woodblock Prints Title: One Hundred Aspects of the Moon # 52 Mount Tobisu dawn moon (Tobisuyama gyogetsu)

1st Publication: June 1887

Size: Oban; 13-1/2" x 9-1/4" (34 x 23.5 cm)

Date of this edition: June 1887

Publisher: Akiyama Buemon.

Condition: Right magin trimmed. Backed on an acid free album page, else very fine Excellent colors and impression, very good overall condition.

More about this print: This scene at the flanks of mount Tobishu is part of the Battle of Nagashino in 1575. Nagashino Castle, Mikawa Province, was under siege of Takeda Katsuyori. Tokugawa Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga send troops to alleviate the siege, and Katsuyori is defeated. The victory of Western-style tactics and firearms over Takeda's cavalry charge is often cited as a turning point in Japanese warfare.

The general wearing the Scull Uma-jirushi is supposed to be Toda Hanbei Shigeyuki, a retainer of Tokugawa. Stevenson* suggests that Yoshitoshi perhaps mistook him for another Tokugawa general, Sakai Tadatsugu. This would explain the dark blue Sakai mon that is visible next to the Tokugawa crest.

Pictures: Pictures are taken outdoor, in the shade, to reflect true colors, without any enhancements of any kind. The last picture is taken indoor, with a light behind the print, to reveal the exact paper grain, holes if any, or other possible flaws.