Kii, Moon over the Hida River, Princess Tsuki, No. 37 from the series: Snow, Moon, Flowers

Fantastic depiction of the young beauty Tsuki-hime, known also as Kiyo-hime in the kabuki play Musume Dojo-ji. She fell in love with a monk at Dojo-ji Temple on the Kii peninsula. Consumed with unrequited desire, she changed herself into a serpent to swim across to the temple, where a new bell was being dedicated. Once there, she returned to her human form and chased her beloved monk, who hid under the bell. Furious at this rebuff, she changed herself back into a snake and squeezed the bell, turning it red hot and killing the monk inside. She is shown here taking human form after swimming across the water. Her hair flows loosely over her shoulders, dripping wet as she stands on the shore under the moonlight. The inset above shows the edge of her robes as she climbs atop the bell, having scattered the other monks out of her way. A great atmospheric scene from this legendary tale, detailed with burnishing in the black robe and soft shading and a dusting of mica in the water and sky.

12 5/8 x 8 1/4 + margins

With excellent color and detail. Faint creasing and spotting in margins. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.