Princess Kaguya Returns to the Moon | “Received Back into the Moon Palace” | Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)
Description
A princess from the Moon, moments before leaving Earth forever.
This reproduction woodblock print is based on “Received Back into the Moon Palace — The Bamboo Cutter” (月宮迎 竹とり), from Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s celebrated series One Hundred Aspects of the Moon (月百姿).
The scene comes from The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, one of Japan’s oldest and most beloved legends.
The story follows Kaguya-hime, a mysterious girl discovered as a tiny child inside a glowing bamboo stalk. Raised by an elderly bamboo cutter and his wife, she grows into a woman of extraordinary beauty.
But Kaguya-hime does not belong to this world.
She is a princess of the Moon.
In this scene, Yoshitoshi depicts the story’s haunting final chapter, as the celestial princess prepares to leave her earthly home and return to the Moon.
Her pale white robes, long black hair, and vivid red sash emerge from behind the dark architecture, creating an image that feels almost supernatural.
Rather than showing the moment with spectacle, Yoshitoshi creates a quiet and mysterious atmosphere — a farewell between two worlds.
It is a story of beauty, separation, destiny, and the sadness of knowing that some things cannot remain forever.
The restrained palette of gray, white, black, pale blue, and red also gives the composition a remarkably modern quality.
A beautiful piece for collectors of Japanese mythology, folklore, Kaguya-hime, ukiyo-e, and Japanese art, as well as for contemporary or Japandi-inspired interiors.
Artist
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi was one of the most important artists of the final generation of ukiyo-e.
A pupil of the celebrated Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Yoshitoshi became known for dramatic historical scenes, warriors, supernatural subjects, beautiful women, and psychologically powerful compositions.
His late masterpiece, One Hundred Aspects of the Moon, was originally published between 1885 and 1892 and brings together Japanese and Chinese history, literature, legend, and everyday life through the recurring presence of the moon.
The original design of this work was published in 1888.
Artwork Details
Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)
Series: One Hundred Aspects of the Moon / 月百姿 (Tsuki Hyakushi)
Title: Received Back into the Moon Palace — The Bamboo Cutter / 月宮迎 竹とり
Subject: Kaguya-hime / The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter
Original Design: 1888
Type: Reproduction Woodblock Print
Origin: Japan
Please note: This is a later reproduction based on Yoshitoshi’s original 1888 design. It is not being offered as an original 19th-century impression.
Condition
This work is a later reproduction woodblock print based on Yoshitoshi’s original design.
As this is a vintage item, minor signs of age, toning, wear, or other imperfections may be present.
Condition is as shown in the photographs. Please examine all photographs carefully before purchasing, as the images form an important part of the condition description.
Actual colors may vary slightly depending on your monitor or screen settings.
Shipping
Worldwide shipping is available.
Each artwork will be carefully packaged and shipped with tracking.
International Orders
Import duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees are not included in the product price or shipping cost.
If applicable, these charges are determined by your country’s customs authority and are the responsibility of the customer.
Princess Kaguya Returns to the Moon — “Received Back into the Moon Palace” | Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892) | Reproduction Woodblock Print
Artwork Description
A princess from the Moon, moments before leaving Earth forever.
This reproduction woodblock print is based on “Received Back into the Moon Palace — The Bamboo Cutter” (月宮迎 竹とり), from Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s (1839–1892) celebrated series One Hundred Aspects of the Moon.
The subject is taken from The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, one of Japan’s oldest known stories.
The story follows Kaguya-hime, a mysterious girl discovered as a tiny child inside a glowing bamboo stalk.
Raised by an elderly bamboo cutter and his wife, she grows into a woman of extraordinary beauty.
However, Kaguya-hime was not of this world.
Her home was the Moon.
Yoshitoshi depicts the climax of the story, as Kaguya-hime bids farewell to her earthly life and prepares to return to the Moon.
Her white robes.
Her long flowing black hair.
Her striking red sash.
Her figure emerges from behind the dark architecture, exuding an almost otherworldly mystique.
Yoshitoshi portrays this farewell not as a dramatic spectacle, but as a quiet and ethereal moment.
Beauty, separation, destiny.
And the poignancy of knowing that even the most precious things cannot be held onto forever.
The restrained palette, centered on grays, whites, blacks, pale blues, and reds, appears remarkably modern when viewed through a contemporary lens.
This piece is perfect for lovers of Japanese mythology and legends, Kaguya-hime, ukiyo-e, and Japanese art, as well as for contemporary or Japandi-inspired interiors.
Artist
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi was one of the most important artists of the final generation of ukiyo-e.
A pupil of Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Yoshitoshi handled a wide range of subjects, including warrior prints, historical paintings, ghost and supernatural beings, and bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women). He established his unique world through dramatic compositions, strong narrative, and psychological depth.
His late masterpiece, One Hundred Aspects of the Moon, published from 1885 to 1892, is a series depicting Japanese and Chinese history, literature, legends, and everyday life, all connected by the common motif of the "moon."
The original design for this work was published in 1888.
Artwork Information
Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)
Series: One Hundred Aspects of the Moon (Tsuki Hyakushi)
Title: Received Back into the Moon Palace — The Bamboo Cutter (月宮迎 竹とり)
Subject: Kaguya-hime / The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter
Original Design Year: 1888
Type: Reproduction Woodblock Print
Country of Origin: Japan
Note: This work is a reproduction print made later, based on Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's original design published in 1888. It is not being sold as an original print from the 19th century.
Condition
This work is a later reproduction woodblock print based on Yoshitoshi's original design.
As this is a vintage item, minor signs of age, toning, wear, or other imperfections may be present.
Condition is as shown in the photographs. Please examine all photographs carefully before purchasing, as the images form an important part of the condition description.
Actual colors may vary slightly depending on your monitor or screen settings.
Shipping
Worldwide shipping is available.
Each artwork will be carefully packaged and shipped with tracking.
International Orders
Import duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees are not included in the product price or shipping cost.
If applicable, these charges are determined by your country’s customs authority and are the responsibility of the customer.
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