48. Huai River Moon - Wu Zixu (Waisui no tsuki - Goshisho)

Most reviewers take for granted that name in the title refers to the story of the Chinese general Wu Zixu (cir. 490 BC), who wanted to avenge his father's death, and was aided by a Huai River fisherman in locating the grave of the murderer. Perhaps the prominence of the grinning fisherman in this design demands a better explanation. Stevenson* suggest a different story - that of the wise fisherman Jiang Ziya, who became a counsellor for emperor Shi Bei - but this does of course not explain the title. (printed June 1887)