Fujiwara no Yasumasa Playing the Flute by Moonlight - Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

A woodblock print from the series 'One Hundred Aspects of the Moon', depicting the courtier Fujiwara no Yasumasa being stalked by his brother.

This woodblock print is part of the series 'One Hundred Aspects of the Moon' (Tsuki hyakushi), produced by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi between 1885 and 1892. The image depicts the Heian-period courtier and musician Fujiwara no Yasumasa walking through a field of pampas grass under a pale moon. Unaware of his surroundings, he plays his flute. Behind him, his brother, Hakamadare Yasusuke, crouches in the tall grass, preparing to ambush him.

Yoshitoshi employs a muted colour palette to convey the nocturnal atmosphere. The grey sky and the silhouettes of the grasses create a sense of tension. The composition balances the calm, upright posture of the musician against the low, predatory stance of the attacker. The artist uses fine, controlled lines to define the patterns on the courtier's robes and the sharp, rhythmic blades of the grass.

This work demonstrates the artist's interest in historical narratives and psychological drama. By focusing on a specific moment of suspense, Yoshitoshi captures the quiet danger inherent in the scene. The print reflects the technical precision of the Meiji-era woodblock tradition, where the interplay of negative space and detailed foreground elements directs the viewer's eye across the frame. The cartouche in the upper right corner provides the series title and the specific subject matter, a standard feature of this print series. The work remains a clear example of the narrative capabilities of the ukiyo-e medium during the late nineteenth century.