Yoshitoshi's 'Biyu suikoden ' (4/1866 - 8/1867)

Introduction

The story of the 108 Heroes of the Suikoden (Shuihu Zhuan) was Chinese in origin, written in the 14th century. The novel became extremely popular in Japan in the early 19th century. The stories relate the exploits of a group of outlaws, who lived on the fringe of society, and fought in the name of justice. Hokusai illustrated the original Japanese translation of the series, and Kuniyoshi published his famous Suikoden print series, which was his first commercial success. Yoshitoshi published his own series, consisting of 50 chuban prints, in 1866.

Technical details

• Dates: 1866 (4) - 1867 (8)
• Size: Chuban
• Signed: Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu
• Publishers: Kinkyu
• Engravers: Matsushima Hori Masa, Matsushima Hori Fusa, Katata Hori Chôjirô, Watanabe Hori Ei

Previous cataloguings

	Roger. S. Keyes, "Courage and Silence: A Study of the Life and
		Color Woodblock Prints of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 1839-1892",
		Cinncinnati, 1982

Ruetz, Gottfried, "Funfzig Helden Des Suikoden" 
		Munchen, Germany, 1987

We use the Keyes numbers to order the prints below.

The Prints

Thumbnail	Number	Date	Title	Description
	#01	4/1866	Jiraiya riding frog
	#02	4/1866	Tsunade threatened by snake
	#03	6/1866	Nikki Bennosuke with umbrella
	#04	6/1866	Otomo Wakanahime by spider web
	#05	6/1866	Inue Shimbei Masashi and woman by bamboo blind
	#06	6/1866	Uji Joetsu by ascetic on rock
	#07	8/1866	Toraomaru riding tiger
	#08	8/1866	Oshima Tanzo kneeling by brazier
	#09	10/1866	Oroshimaro beside waterfall
	#10	10/1866	Takagi Umanosuke kneeling by huge head
	#11	10/1866	Wadatsu Ryuotaro Masatatsu with dragon and assailant.
	#12	10/1866	Kiso Komawakamaru Yoshinaka conquering the tengu.
	#13	10/1866	The temple page Shiragikumaru wrestling a green demon.
	#14	10/1866	Aoyagi Harunosuke throwing an assailant underwater.
	#15	10/1866	Shizunome Ohyaku and four hungry ghosts.
	#16	10/1866	Matsugae Sekinosuke glowering at rat.
	#17	11/1866	The woman Kansuke slaying assailant with sword.
	#18	11/1866	Sangoku Taro kneeling before demon and warrior.
	#19	11/1866	Ake Tamanosuke seated by a statue of a Chinese general.
	#20	11/1866	Saga no Dairyo beneath cherry tree.
	#21	10/1868	Yume no Chokichi on rooftops.
	#22	11/1866	Hatchotsubute Kiheiji's wife Yatsushiro with a dog.
	#23	11/1866	Akamatsu Jutamaru Takanori and the ghost of Yaehatahime.
	#24	11/1866	Inaba Taro Onikado on balustrade.
	#25	11/1866	The wrestler Konjin Chogoro throwing a devil.
	#26	11/1866	Tengu Kozo Kiritaro with a banner facing goblins.
	#27	11/1866	Himematsu Chikaranosuke flying through clouds.
	#28	12/1866	The priest Kinezumi Koboshi Kaiden with lightening.
	#29	12/1866	Inuta Kobungo Yasuyori vanquishing a boar.
	#30	12/1866	Toriyama Shusaku Terutada capturing a pheasant with a bow.
	#31	4/1867	Shiroki Komakichi slashing a will o' the wisp
	#32	4/1867	Shiranui kneeling beside a crucified man
	#33	4/1867	Ohara Takejiro Takematsu subduing a bald demon
	#34	4/1867	Miyamoto Musashi slashing a bat
	#35	4/1867	Fujinami Yukarinosuke riding butterfly
	#36	4/1867	Shumitsu Kanja Yoshitaka reflecting as rat in mirror
	#37	4/1867	Takiyashahime seated at armrest visited by frogs.
	#38	4/1867	Madaramaru conjuring a cat spirit
	#39	4/1867	Takagi Toranosuke Tadakatsu slaying demon in cave
	#40	4/1867	Mutsuki Suginosuke Norifusa with ghost beside stone
	#41	4/1867	Shogun Tars Taira no Yoshikado disarming two goblins
	#42	4/1867	Kurokumo Oji attacked by a giant spider
	#43	4/1867	Hodemi no Mikoto riding a sea bream
	#44	4/1867	Kurikara Kengoro and Fudo
	#45	4/1867	Satomi Jirotaro Yoshinari with a dog
	#46	4/1867	The wrestler Akashi Shiganosuke strangling an opponent
	#47	4/1867	The snake catcher Gamakuro robbing the female dancer Kakehashi
	#48	4/1867	Shindo Kojiro Nobuyuki with monkey in cave
	#49	4/1867	Senkanja Ush wakasaburo Yoshitora riding feather
	#50	4/1867	Inuyama Dosetsu Tadaoki flying in smoke
Image needed	#51	8/1867	Preface with bat and butterfly
Image needed	#52	8/1867	Title page and table of contents with dragon and tiger.