Description:
An authentic Japanese woodblock print reproduction from Masterpieces from One Hundred Aspects of the Moon (Tsuki Hyakushi Kessakusen-shū / 月百姿傑作撰集), featuring selected masterpieces designed by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892).
The original series, One Hundred Aspects of the Moon (Tsuki Hyakushi / 月百姿), was published between 1885 and 1892 by Akiyama Buemon during the Meiji period. Consisting of one hundred designs inspired by Japanese and Chinese history, classical literature, mythology, and traditional performing arts, it is widely regarded as one of Yoshitoshi's greatest artistic achievements.
This special reproduction collection features fifteen carefully selected designs from the original series, faithfully recreated using traditional Japanese woodblock printing techniques during the Shōwa period.
Published by Ukiyo-e Hanga Kankōkai (浮世絵版画刊行会), the collection was produced under the supervision of Keizaburō Yamaguchi, a distinguished Japanese ukiyo-e scholar.
The reproductions were created using traditional hand-carving and hand-printing techniques, with skilled artisans carefully recreating the intricate details, delicate lines, and sophisticated color effects of Yoshitoshi's original compositions.
Specially prepared Japanese hōsho paper and high-quality traditional woodblock pigments were used in the production, reflecting the craftsmanship and artistic traditions of Japanese woodblock printmaking.
The names of the woodblock carver and printer are recorded on the reverse of this print, providing an interesting record of the artisans involved in its production.
About This Design: Streetwalker by Moonlight (Tsujigimi / 辻君) is a hauntingly beautiful composition from Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's celebrated series One Hundred Aspects of the Moon, portraying a woman known as a tsujigimi, a streetwalker belonging to the lowest ranks of prostitution in historical Japan.
Unlike the celebrated courtesans of the pleasure quarters, tsujigimi lived and worked on the margins of society, wandering through the streets at night in search of customers. Their distinctive appearance often included dark outer robes, white facial makeup, and cloth head coverings, while a rolled straw mat served as a portable resting place.
Yoshitoshi depicts a solitary young woman standing beside a quiet river beneath a partially obscured autumn moon. She wears a flowing black kimono over richly patterned garments in purple and red, while a blue cloth flutters around her face in the evening breeze. Holding a rolled straw mat against her body, she turns her pale face toward the moonlit sky.
The composition is accompanied by a poem attributed to Hitotose, comparing the faces of streetwalkers revealed by moonlight to reflections appearing in the rice paddies under the autumn moon. The verse introduces a subtle sense of sadness and vulnerability beneath the beauty of the scene.
The dark clouds drifting across the moon echo the woman's uncertain existence, while the subdued green background, delicate riverside grasses, and flowing garments create an atmosphere of loneliness and quiet melancholy.
Rather than portraying his subject with judgment or sensationalism, Yoshitoshi presents her with remarkable dignity and sensitivity. Her elegant appearance contrasts with her difficult social circumstances, inviting the viewer to reflect upon the human experience behind the outward beauty.It remains one of the most emotionally expressive depictions of everyday life in Yoshitoshi's One Hundred Aspects of the Moon series.
We sell only authentic traditional Japanese hand-printed woodblock prints, including later re-carved or later edition works.
We do not handle modern machine-made prints, offset prints, or modern printed copies of any kind.
All prints in our store are genuine te-zuri (hand-printed) woodblock prints, carefully hand-printed by skilled Japanese artisans using traditional Ukiyo-e techniques on authentic Japanese washi paper.
The visible pigment bleed-through on the reverse side is a natural characteristic of hand printing and a clear sign that this is not a reproduction or machine-made print.
With
decades of experience handling Japanese woodblock prints, we
confidently guarantee the authenticity and quality of every hand-printed
work we sell.
Combined shipping is available. Free shipping applies from the second item onward.
For shipping, the print will not be rolled. Rolling may cause permanent curling or damage, so we ship prints flat, carefully sandwiched between rigid cardboard to protect them.
For the safety of the prints during shipping, we can only combine basic prints. We cannot ship prints together with books or other items.
Ships from Japan via EMS with tracking and insurance. Delivery usually takes 2-3 weeks.
We usually ship within 2 business days after payment is cleared.
For U.S. Buyers:
Import duties and taxes are included in the item price or shipping cost. Items shipped to the United States are sent under the Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) method, which means all import-related charges are prepaid. You will not need to pay any additional import duties or taxes when your order arrives.
For Buyers in the European Union:
For items priced at €150 or less (excluding shipping), import duties are prepaid under the Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) method. You will not need to pay any additional import duties when your order arrives.
For Buyers in Other Countries/Regions:
Import duties, taxes, and other customs charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost unless otherwise stated. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility and may vary depending on the destination country. Please check with your local customs office for more information before purchasing.