This print is one of Tsuki Hyakushi, a Ukiyo-e series of Yoshitoshi's later artwork. The title of Ginga Sei indicates the folk tail of Tanabata. The following is the story line of the legend.
Orihime (Vega), a daughter of Tentei emperor, was hardworking and proficient in weaving. Tentei consented to her marriage with Kengyu (Altair), a cowherd who was also diligent in his work. However, Orihime stoped her weaving and Kengyu gave up driving cows because of being engrossed in their married life. So angry Tentei separated them by Amanogawa River (Milky Way) and allows them to bridge over the river to see each other once a year on 7th July.
The print depicts a bittersweet love story of a couple who could see each other only one day a year.
Holes including repaired ones, slightly stained and soiled
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi(1839-1892) is widely recognized as the last great master of Ukiyo-e. In addition, he is regarded as one of the form’s greatest innovator and an artist who was almost single handly struggle against the time and techonology for pushing the traditional Japanese woodblock prints to a new level.
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Item #108500500
