Details

In this dramatic design from One Hundred Views of the Moon, Yoshitoshi presents the warrior monk, Benkei, at the bow of a ship, with Buddhist prayer beads in hand, chanting magical incantations to quell the raging sea. The ocean’s wrath fueled by the restless spirits of the Taira clan seen in the menacing shadows of the clouds overhead and the ranging monstrous waves. It was in this exact locale where the Taira and Minamoto clans saw battle resulting in the catastrophic death of the entire Taira clan. Benkei, an associate of the Minamoto clan, may have triggered the fury of the restless Taira spirits.

Connoisseur's Note

This print is an exceedingly rare early first-state impression issued before the entire series was completed. The print is unbacked, never having been compiled in an album, and retains its original full sheet size. The impression is razor sharp, and the vivid colors are in their original state of preservation. As in all early impressions of the design, the monstrous wave advancing toward the boat has an application of silver mica, adding an additional element of drama to the design.