Japanese ukiyo-e print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) from the series of 100 warriors 魁題 百 撰相 (Kaidai hyaku sensō).
Produced between 1868 and 1869, this series dates from the beginning of Yoshitoshi's career and is one of the best-known of his (and of 19th-century printmaking).
Only 65 of the planned 100 prints were ever published.
This series was very successful, as it depicts samurai fighting during the Meiji Restoration, with several portraits showing bloodied warriors (n.b. Yoshitoshi had witnessed the violent battles of the time, and wanted to represent what he had actually seen).
In this series, 4 prints depict samurai with severed heads, but the most powerful is this one by Mori Rikimaru with two heads of defeated loyalist samurai (indirectly representing the battle of the Meiji empire - the new Japan - over the old Japan of the Edo period).
Very good condition, despite a slight fold, with no missing parts.
Signed.
Publisher: Ohashi (Daikyodo)
1868 (early Meiji 19th c.)
Size : 35.9 x 25 cm
