“Yoshitoshi’s 100 Views of the Moon” Exhibition

“Yoshitoshi’s 100 Views of the Moon” Exhibition

Ronin Gallery

This event has ended.

This September, Ronin Gallery invites you to celebrate the evening of the Harvest Moon in the fantastical realm of Yoshitoshi’s most acclaimed series, 100 Views of the Moon. From ghost stories to folktales, graphic violence to the gentle glow of the moon, Yoshitoshi offers not only compositional and technical brilliance, but also unfettered passion. Regarded as the last of the great masters of ukiyo-e, Yoshitoshi’s career spanned an era of cultural and economic transformation. He worked in a Japan undergoing rapid change, straddling the domains of the old, feudal systems and the new, modern world. Each print from this groundbreaking set draws the viewer into an eerie and mysterious domain, erasing the boundaries between reality and illusion.

In 1885, Yoshitoshi began the celebrated series, Tsuki Hyakushi, or 100 Views of the Moon. Culled from early chapters of ancient and mythical folklore, 19th century culture, and classical poetry, this series preserves the rich cultural legacy of Japan. The prints in this series range from scenes of fierce battles to serene beauty - all illuminated by the moon in the four seasons. Though the moon is not always explicitly represented, Yoshitoshi conveys its presence, whether haunting or delicately beautiful, in each work. All 100 prints are executed with a delicacy, brightness, and assurance rarely found in ukiyo-e during this period. When viewed as a whole, 100 Views of the Moon provides insight into the mind of an eccentric genius and reveals a powerful imagination at the height of its expression.

Yoshitoshi’s work is known for its imaginative component. His considerable imagination and originality imbued his prints with a sensitivity and honesty rarely seen in 19th century printmaking. Born to a Tokyo physician, Yoshitoshi showed remarkable talent as a young boy and began to study under the renowned Kuniyoshi at the age of 12. Though Yoshitoshi ardently defended the traditional subjects and methods, he incorporated some western styles and modern techniques into his distinct style. As modernization pushed ahead, he suffered a nervous breakdown in 1872, living in poverty and ceasing all artistic production. A year later, he resumed working; adopting the artist name Taiso and fulfilling his creative potential. By the spring of 1892, Yoshitoshi suffered his final mental breakdown and was committed to the Sugamo Asylum. He died shortly after.

Media

• Painting
• Drawing

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