Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)


Four preparatory drawings Meiji era (1868-1912)The first three in black and red ink; the first depicting two men horrified by a man holding a sword to his throat, with pentimenti; the second possibly an illustration for a martial arts manual, portraying two Chinese scholar-officials watching a fight between two men; the third, a design for a print or painting with a dynamic portrayal of a warrior hanging onto a rope while fighting in water with waves cresting above his head; each unsigned; the fourth, a design for a mid-size print depicting a general wielding a battle saihai (signal baton) while galloping on horseback, a standard bearer by his side, in black and red ink, with pentimenti, signed Taiso Yoshitoshi ga 13 1/2 x 9 5/8in (33 x 24.4cm); 9 3/4 x 6 3/8in (24.6 x 16.2cm); 12 3/4 x 9 5/8in (32.3 x 24.3cm); 9 1/2 x 12 7/8in (24.4 x 32.8cm)