Ginko: Sota Ito and the Spectral Cat (Sold)

Artist: Adachi Ginko (active ca. 1870-1900) Title: Sota Ito and the Spectral Cat Date: 1874 Nakamura Shikan IV as Sota Ito. This work is so similar in design to a print by Yoshitoshi from 1867 that it must be the same story of Itô Enrin (or Yosôta) and the cat ghost. According to the story, a cat ghost at one time would appear to Ohide, a concubine of Lord of Saga (in Kyûshû) and torment her. The lord ordered a day-and-night watch, but none of the night watches could combat their overwhelming sleepiness. However, there was a loyal and brave footman called Itô Sota, who was asked to take over the night watch. He kept himself awake by piercing his own thigh with a knife. When Ohide was to enter the chamber of the lord, Sota saw a shadow of the cat ghost. He made himself known to it, stating the name, "Komori Heinojô" and killed it with a single stroke of his sword. This was the great deed of Sota. There is a very similar design by Yoshitoshi from the series Azuma no nishiki ukiyo kôdan (