The Lonely House at Adachigahara in Oshu, 1885

One of Yoshitoshi's most iconic prints, this kakemono or vertical diptych depicts a gruesome scene from the famous story of the hag of the Lonely House on Adachi Moor, an evil woman who preyed on unborn children for their blood. A hideous old crone, she sharpens a large knife against a stone as her helpless victim hangs overhead, suspended upside down by a rope. The pregnant woman is bound and gagged, at the mercy of the wizened hag, who sneers up at her as she crouches on a mat next to a blazing fire, smoke drifting across the shabby room. The setting is dark and moody, with gourd vines framing the vine of the night sky out the window, and cracks and holes in the plaster walls.

Although the subject is notorious, even repugnant, Yoshitoshi has chosen to depict the moments before the evil act, implying the awful violence to come rather than showing it, rendering the scene less bloody than some of his other designs, specifically those for his early series Twenty-eight Famous Murders with Verse. Finely printed with delicate cloth embossing in the hag's white robe, and soft bokashi shading in the smoke and background.

This print is an extremely rare first edition, which includes faint purple shading of the flesh next to the ropes on the arm and belly, and no publisher's mark in the left margin (the publisher's mark was added later with the second edition production). This is the best printing of this design we have ever seen and is superior to the examples we have seen in museums for the early state, printing quality and condition. This incredibly rare Yoshitoshi kakemono is an excellent choice for the serious collector.

9 5/8 x 28 3/8 + margins as shown

With excellent color and detail. Two separate panels. A couple very minor creases in margin only. Nice full margins, not trimmed. No holes, tears, stains or other damage - very fine condition, essentially pristine. Please see photos for details. Very nice