MIZUNO TOSHIKATA (1866-1908): THE KING OF TENGU
Hanshita-e after the right-hand section of a triptych by Taisho YoshitoshiJapan, Edo period (1615-1868), 19th centuryLarge in the center of the sheet is the king of Tengu called Sojobo. He thrones on a rock, is bearded and holds a scepter in one hand. The masterly drawn line shows the many angular garment pleats in contrast to the soft waviness of the long hair and full beard of Sojobo. The Tengu are mythical creatures, part human, part crow-like (Karasu Tengu), as here in the picture, and they live in forests. Sojobo, their king, was a master sword fighting teacher of the great historical heroYoshitsune. Yoshitoshis original triptych is dated 1880. Here it probably deals with an exercise task that Yoshitoshi gave his highly talented, first 14-year-old student Toshikata. The British Museum owns a drawn copy of this triptych with the signature “copied by Toshikata“. Dimensions: SIZE 37.5 x 27 CMCondition: Good age-related conditionProvenance: Collection of a well-known London art dealer