Posted by Anders G. Rikardson on January 28, 2001 at 18:29:43:
In Reply to: Re: Seal on a Kitao Masayoshi print posted by Monica on January 28, 2001 at 15:22:54:
The seal reads Kitao Masayoshi, signature Keisai. The style is similar to his various sketchbooks, for which he is most famous among the connoisseurs.
The figures are from the pantheon of the Otsu picture. Otsu-e prints were produced in the village Otsu along the Tokaido road, north of Kyoto. The were usually mounted as kakemono and sold to travellers on the Tokaido. Masayoshi has in your print given his sketches is slight taste of the otsu-e. This print is indeed rare and might be unique. It is impossible though to tell from your image if it is a Edo period printing, but probably it is ok. What is the measurement?
Round prints are usually encountered as either part of a board game or as mocha-e (toy pictures) for children or grown ups.