Nihon hana zue, Ogata Gekkō, 1896 (Meiji)

In the play "love story at the snow-covered barrier," the villian's wishes to cut down a giant blossoming black cherry are thwarted. As he wields an ax, a courtesan who is the living incarnation of the spirit of the tree manages to freeze the villian's hands. Then the spirit herself appears, and she overcomes him. Date: 1896 (Meiji). Place of creation: Tokyo, Japan. Dimensions: height: 36 cm (14.1 in); width: 24 cm (9.4 in). Medium: pigments on mulberry paper. Collection: Walters Art Museum. Sasaki Toyokichi - Nihon hana zue - Walters 95209