Tsuki no Yotsu no O (The Moon's Four Strings)

This print is part of Yoshitoshi's famous series "100 Aspects of the Moon" which depicts scenes from traditional Chinese and Japanese history and lore. Semimaru, the blind musician who lived in the 10th century, was a poet of noble birth. He retired to live alone on Mount Ausaka after serving in the Imperial Court. His life later was later depicted in a Noh play.