Good condition overall. The cover page shows some damage to the lines and cartouches. All pages have been reinforced with a hard backing for preservation. Inner pages are in near excellent condition with extremely sharp and well-defined linework.
This Meiji-era illustrated woodblock book by Utagawa Yoshitoshi, published in 1879, belongs to the dokufu (poison women / crime stories) genre, a popular theme in late 19th-century Japan focusing on dramatic and often sensational narratives.
Titled Mukashi Mukashi Monogatari – Dokufu no Koden (昔々物語 毒婦之古伝), the work presents historical-style crime stories centered around notorious female figures, rendered with Yoshitoshi’s characteristic intensity and expressive detail. Known as one of the last great masters of ukiyo-e, Yoshitoshi’s work bridges traditional woodblock techniques with more modern, psychological storytelling.
Printed using traditional methods, the book features finely executed illustrations with strong visual clarity, particularly in the interior pages where the craftsmanship remains especially well preserved.
A compelling and collectible example of Meiji-period illustrated literature, particularly desirable for collectors of Yoshitoshi, crime-themed works, and late ukiyo-e books.
