Yoshitoshi

A warrior silently scales a cliff to launch an attack on an enemy castle; a courtesan strolls down an avenue of flowering cherry trees; and a pensive Murasaki Shikibu contemplates writing The Tale of Genji. These are a few examples from Yoshitoshi’s one hundred stories that were inspired by history, literature, mythology and daily life – scenes that are unified by the motif of the moon. Each print has been faithfully reproduced at the original oban size, from preserved impressions largely held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Printed on exceptional quality uncoated paper, and with painstaking attention to colour, this series depicts Japan on the cusp of tradition and modernity.

‘The last great master of traditional Japanese woodblock printing’

1. Guardian

Mesmerising and emotive; delicate yet powerful, the prints are accompanied by Stevenson’s insightful text, which brings readers closer to the artist and his world. The introductory essays – lavishly illustrated with other examples of Yoshitoshi’s work – trace the artist’s tumultuous life and career, and explore the innovative series in great detail. Fascinating, in-depth commentaries explain the story and technique behind each print, while a double-page map and detailed timeline add historical and geographical context. This is a must-have edition for art aficionados and anyone interested in Japanese history and culture.