Yoshitoshi: Yoshitoshi's Warriors Trembling with Courage Prints

月岡芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi（1839-1892）
 
芳年武者无类 主计头加藤清正
Kazuenokami Katō Kiyomasa Observing a Monkey with a Writing Brush, from the series of Yoshitoshi's Warriors Trembling with Courage Prints
 
1883年
 
木版画 | 纵绘大判 | 36cm x 25cm
Woodblock-print | Oban tate-e | 36cm x 25cm
 
月冈芳年被人称做“最后的浮世绘画师”，擅长历史绘、武者绘和美人绘。画中所绘的人物是日本江户时代的武将和大名“加藤清正”。加藤清正以筑城名家为世人所知，曾参与建筑的包括熊本城、蔚山城、江户城、名古屋城等等。在江户时代以显赫的战功和热心社会公益在日本被受景仰，常被作为绘画的对象。这幅画中的猴子是整个系列里唯二出现的动物元素，在这里出现也是寓意了加藤清正为百姓驱除灾祸的美好形象。
每幅画的题牌是这个系列的突出特色。请仔细看每个汉字的雕刻，飞白也被雕得历历清晰，是少有的能够欣赏到书法美的佳作。画面的木纹，浓郁的三色题牌，更是证明这是一件保存极佳的早期印刷的绝品。
Yoshitoshi Tsukioka, considered by many to be the last great Ukiyo-e artist, excelled at history, warrior and beautiful women ("bijin") designs. 
The characters depicted in this series are famous military commanders . Here we see Kato Kiyomasa, a daimyo (or lord) from the Edo period. Kiyomasa was known as a famous castle builder, and was instrumental in the construction of Kumamoto Castle, Ulsan Castle, Edo Castle, Nagoya Castle and many others. He was also admired for his outstanding military exploits -- and, interestingly, for his enthusiasm for the social welfare of his subjects. Thus, he was a popular print subject. The monkey in this painting is the only animal that appears in the entire series, and we must assume it's important. Perhaps the kindness Kiyomasa demonstrates toward the monkey is the same as he demonstrates toward the common people?
The elaborate title cartouche of each print is an outstanding feature of this series. Take a close look at the carvings of each character. Feibai is also carved very clearly, and it is one of the rare masterpieces to appreciate the beauty of calligraphy.
The visible woodgrain and the rich three-color inscriptions suggest that this is a very well-preserved gem, and an early impression. 
*Feibai: a style of calligraphy characterized by hollow strokes, as if done with a half-dry brush.
 
非常完美的�