UTAGAWA YOSHITSUYA: A COLOR WOODLOCK PRINT TRIPTYCH DEPICTING KOGAKURE NO KIRITARO, DATED 1861 By Utagawa Yoshitsuya (1822-1866), signed Ichieisai Yoshitsuyaga ga Japan, dated 1861 A fantastic scene of the warrior Kogakure no Kiritaro using witchcraft to hide himself from three men attacking his palanquin. An enormous snake emerges in a cloud of smoke from the palanquin window, with Kiritaro riding atop its back at left, his hands clasped in a magical gesture as he casts a spell. The serpent bares its fang as a line of rats comes scampering out of his mouth, running across the scene. In the center, Waniguchi Jinsuke falls back on one knee, flinging his hand out at his side as he glares up at the creature. At right, his companions Masakino Torazo and Kazama Hanjiro watch with alarmed grimaces. Pine trees frame the dark night sky and a swirl of leaves is swept through the air. OBAN 36 x 23.5 cm (each print) Condition: Excellent condition, very good impression, fresh colors. Provenance: French private collection. The present triptych is from the series Kyokyaku Suikoden no uchi (Shuihuzhan of the mirror) and is titled Kogakure no Kiritaro yojyutsu o motte tsugata o kakusu (Kogakure no Kiritaro hides himself using witchcraft). The series was published by Kameya Iwakichi between 1861 and 1863. This triptych is dated to the sixth month of 1861. Utagawa Yoshitsuya (1822-1866) was a Japanese designer of ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Yoshitsuya was a student of Utagawa Kuniyoshi and, like his teacher, is best known for his woodblock prints of warriors. Auction comparison: Compare another example of this triptych by Utagawa Yoshitsuya at Christie`s, Japanese and Korean Art, 20 September 2022, New York, lot 258 ( sold for 5,292 USD ).