{"product_id":"dark-sorcery-in-old-japan-the-woman-who-became-takiyasha-木曽街道六十九次之内-芦田-歌川国芳-utagawa-kuniyoshi-1798-1861","title":"Dark Sorcery in Old Japan — The Woman Who Became Takiyasha \/ Ashida, from the Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaidō — Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798–1861)","description":"\u003cp\u003eDark Sorcery in Old Japan — The Woman Who Became Takiyasha \/ 木曽街道六十九次之内 芦田 — 歌川国芳 \/ Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798–1861)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescription\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn original Edo-period Japanese woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, one of the most imaginative and internationally celebrated masters of ukiyo-e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCreated in 1852, this work is “Ashida” from Kuniyoshi’s famous series The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaidō (木曽街道六十九次之内).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt first glance, it appears to be an elegant woman traveling through a snowy landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLook closer, however, and the scene becomes much darker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe woman is Nyogetsuni, a sorceress associated with the legendary Takiyasha. She walks through the snow while performing a magical ritual, while behind her an attendant carries a severed human head attached to a branch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a striking example of Kuniyoshi’s fascination with the supernatural, warriors, legends, ghosts and strange stories of old Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTakiyasha is one of the legendary female figures associated with Japanese supernatural folklore. She is traditionally connected with the fallen warrior Taira no Masakado and became famous in later stories as a woman possessing extraordinary magical powers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than simply depicting a beautiful woman, Kuniyoshi creates an unsettling contrast between beauty and horror: elegant clothing, falling snow, supernatural ritual, and the shocking presence of the severed head.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis combination gives the print an atmosphere that feels surprisingly cinematic even today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA small landscape of Ashida appears in the upper cartouche, connecting the supernatural story to one of the stations along the historic Kisokaidō highway.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor collectors of ukiyo-e, but equally for those fascinated by samurai culture, Japanese folklore, yokai, supernatural stories, tattoo art, dark interiors, or unconventional Japanese design, this is a particularly memorable work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginal title: 木曽街道六十九次之内 芦田\u003cbr\u003eEnglish title: Ashida, from The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaidō\u003cbr\u003eSubject: Nyogetsuni \/ Takiyasha legend\u003cbr\u003eDate: 1852\u003cbr\u003ePeriod: Edo period\u003cbr\u003eFormat: Ōban nishiki-e woodblock print\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Sumiyoshiya Masagorō\u003cbr\u003eSize: Approx. 36.5 × 25.0 cm \/ 14.4 × 9.8 in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eArtist\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtagawa Kuniyoshi (1798–1861) was one of the great masters of nineteenth-century Japanese ukiyo-e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe became particularly famous for dynamic warriors, legendary heroes, supernatural creatures, ghosts, monsters and highly imaginative compositions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis dramatic visual language has made his work especially popular far beyond traditional ukiyo-e collecting, influencing modern illustration, manga, tattoo culture and contemporary Japanese visual culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCondition\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an antique woodblock print dating from the Edo period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAge-related wear, discoloration, staining, rubbing, creasing and other signs of age may be present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite its age, the composition retains a powerful visual presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease examine all photographs carefully before purchasing, as the photographs form an important part of the condition description.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShipping\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorldwide shipping is available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe artwork will be carefully packed to protect it during international transportation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the unlikely event that the artwork is damaged or lost during shipping, we will provide appropriate compensation or a refund after confirming the circumstances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImport duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees are not included in the product price or shipping cost. If applicable, these charges are determined by the destination country’s customs authority and are the responsibility of the customer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDark Sorcery in Old Japan — The Woman Who Became Takiyasha \/ Kisokaidō Rokujūkyū-tsugi no Uchi Ashida — Utagawa Kuniyoshi \/ Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798–1861)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescription\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn Edo period woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, one of the leading ukiyo-e artists of the 19th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work, created in 1852 (Kaei 5), is \"Ashida\" from Kuniyoshi's representative series \"Kisokaidō Rokujūkyū-tsugi no Uchi.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt first glance, it appears to be a work depicting a beautiful woman traveling through a snowy landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, upon closer inspection, the world changes dramatically.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe woman depicted is Nyogetsuni, a sorceress associated with the legend of Takiyasha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe performs a magical ritual while walking through the snow, and behind her, an attendant carries a \"severed head\" tied to a branch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a very striking piece, characteristic of Kuniyoshi, who favored depicting warriors, legends, ghosts, sorcery, and strange occurrences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTakiyasha is one of the iconic female figures in Japanese tales of the strange and legendary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAssociated with the legend of Taira no Masakado, she became widely known in later stories as a woman wielding powerful sorcery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat Kuniyoshi depicts here is not merely a beautiful woman.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeautiful kimono.\u003cbr\u003eQuietly falling snow.\u003cbr\u003eA woman performing sorcery.\u003cbr\u003eAnd behind her, a severed head being carried.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy coexisting \"beauty\" and \"horror\" on the same screen, he creates an unsettling and dramatic world that resonates with modern cinema and manga.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA small window at the top depicts the landscape of \"Ashida,\" a post station on the Nakasendō route.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work is recommended not only for ukiyo-e collectors but also for those who appreciate samurai, Japanese ghost stories, yokai, legends, tattoo art, dark interiors, and distinctive Japanese art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginal title: 木曽街道六十九次之内 芦田\u003cbr\u003eEnglish title: Ashida, from The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaidō\u003cbr\u003eSubject: Nyogetsuni \/ Takiyasha legend\u003cbr\u003eYear of production: 1852 (Kaei 5)\u003cbr\u003ePeriod: Edo period\u003cbr\u003eFormat: Ōban nishiki-e woodblock print\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Sumiyoshiya Masagorō\u003cbr\u003eSize: Approx. 36.5 × 25.0 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eArtist\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtagawa Kuniyoshi (1798–1861) was one of the leading ukiyo-e artists of the 19th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe is particularly known for his dynamic warrior prints, heroes, ghosts, yokai, strange occurrences, and bold works depicting legends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis original compositions and powerful visuals are highly regarded today not only by ukiyo-e collectors but also in the contexts of manga, illustration, and tattoo culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCondition\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an old woodblock print produced during the Edo period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAge-related discoloration, stains, dirt, scuffs, and wrinkles may be present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, even after approximately 170 years, this work still offers the powerful composition and presence characteristic of Kuniyoshi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease examine the posted photos carefully to confirm the condition before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShipping\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInternational shipping is available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe artwork will be carefully packed and shipped with sufficient protection to prevent damage during international transport.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the unlikely event of damage or loss during shipping, we will provide compensation or a refund after confirming the circumstances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImport duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees are not included in the product price or shipping cost. If applicable, these charges are determined by the customs authorities of the destination country and are the responsibility of the customer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AUN selects","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49048807112874,"sku":null,"price":122900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0667\/1237\/1370\/files\/260811_017.jpg?v=1786695243","url":"https:\/\/aun-selection.myshopify.com\/products\/dark-sorcery-in-old-japan-the-woman-who-became-takiyasha-%e6%9c%a8%e6%9b%bd%e8%a1%97%e9%81%93%e5%85%ad%e5%8d%81%e4%b9%9d%e6%ac%a1%e4%b9%8b%e5%86%85-%e8%8a%a6%e7%94%b0-%e6%ad%8c%e5%b7%9d%e5%9b%bd%e8%8a%b3-utagawa-kuniyoshi-1798-1861","provider":"Aun Selects","version":"1.0","type":"link"}