63. The moon of the moor (Harano no tsuki)

The Heian governor and musician Fujiwara no Yasumasa (958-1036) charms his outlaw brother Hakamadare Yasusake by playing the flute. The bandit had planned to rob him, but the music was so beautiful he could not draw his sword. When Yoshitoshi in this series quotes from earlier work, as in this case from his famous 1868 triptych, he often does so with great restraint. See also prints #61, #70, and #85. In this design, the perspective from behind Yasumasa's back, rather than looking him in the face, works admirably well, and helps to condense the scene into one single sheet. (published May 1888.)