Lithography was a well established medium in Japan in the late 19th century. It allowed artists to produce work in a different way, escaping some of the constraints of wood block prints. Gekko produced work in this medium frequently for magazines such as Fuzoku Gaho and Bungei Kurabu. He produced at least one book of lithographs of traditional artisans. His lithographs were also used in newspapers and on calendars. Popular themes included traditional tales, Bijin and the Sino Japanese war. This latter event led Gekko to produce some particularly poignant images, including 'Chinese troops dead of smoke inhalation', and one of a 'Red Cross Hospital'. Those shown here are only a fraction of his work in this medium but include one of 'Firefighters' which has an almost impressionist feel to its sky, and a particularly modern looking young lady from the September 1914 edition of Bungei Kurabu. You can see the full set of "12 Months of Working Horses" via the link.

 

12 Months of Working Horses

 

Cavalry Charge, Sino Japanese War

 

Chinese Dead of Smoke Inhalation from Boat Fire

 

Red Cross Hospital

 

Ensei Kinenki War Memorial

 

Minamoto Yorimasa and Ii no Hayata slay a Nue: Calendar 1899

 

The Legend of Momotaro

 

The Sea King's Palace

 

Firefighters

 

Bijin: Bungei Kurabu magazine, Sept 1914

 

Geisha and Snowy Pondscape

 

Emperor Jinmu: calendar