Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Watanabe no Tsuna Cutting Off the Demon's Arm at Rashomon (Rashomon Watanabe no Tsuna oniudekiri no zu)
Meiji period, 1887
Woodblock print
Vertical oban diptych: each sheet approx. 38 x 26 cm
The lower sheet signed Oju Yoshitoshi ga 
Published by Hasegawa Tsunejuro in 1887
 
From behind the pillars of the Roshomon Gate, the demon of Ibaraki emerges in frightening fury. Below, Watanabe no Tsuna gazes up on horseback as he carries his notice board inscribed kinsatsu (forbidden). The strong diagonals of the rain and flashes of light create a dynamism to this incredibly cinematic design. 
 
Good impression of the later edition published by Hasegawa Tsunejiro, the robe of the Rashomon demon embellished with metallic pigment, good colour, slight toning, some creasing, the bottom sheet with tape and adhesive residue to verso.