A swordsman climbs a rope by moonlight past a willow tree

A man in an elaborate teal and red jacket trimmed with white fur and gold scrollwork climbs hand over hand up a rope against a night sky, a crescent moon overhead. A sword in a red lacquer scabbard is thrust through his sash; willow branches and a pine tree flank him, and his bare legs show below the jacket's hem. A cartouche with the hero's name and an accompanying text panel appear at the right; the artist's signature is enclosed in a gourd-shaped cartouche at the lower left.

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798–1861) brought heroes, monsters and spectacle into the ukiyo-e print. A pupil of Toyokuni, he made his name in 1827 with the series of the One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Suikoden, tattooed warriors caught mid-action, and went on to giant skeletons, cats, whales and satirical puzzles that slipped past the censors. His restless invention influenced Yoshitoshi and, much later, tattoo and manga art. His prints are held by the British Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Printed as a museum-grade giclée on Hahnemühle fine art paper using 12-ink archival pigment printing. Available handframed in FSC-certified wood with optional float glass, or unframed. Ships worldwide with free delivery to 30+ countries.