This unusual object — a pair of books comprising both a manuscript draft (1812) and the published printed edition (1845) of a ghost story — documents the entire production lifecycle of one of Kuniyoshi's illustrated tales. The ghost story of Konoshiro Tomobei involves spectral revenge and the horror conventions of kaidan (ghost story) literature that enjoyed enormous popularity in Edo culture. The survival of both draft and finished book makes this a remarkable record of Kuniyoshi's working method across three decades.
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Kohada Koheiji Konoshiro Tomobei kataki uchi maboroshi sōshi (Ghost Story of Konoshiro Tomobei), draft and printed edition was created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳) in Edo period, 1812 and 1845.
Kohada Koheiji Konoshiro Tomobei kataki uchi maboroshi sōshi (Ghost Story of Konoshiro Tomobei), draft and printed edition depicts mythology.
Kohada Koheiji Konoshiro Tomobei kataki uchi maboroshi sōshi (Ghost Story of Konoshiro Tomobei), draft and printed edition measures 17.8 × 11.9 cm (Oban format).
