작품 상세

UTAGAWA YOSHITORA: A TRYPTICH DEPICTING THE GREAT BATTLE OF OSHU By Utagawa Yoshitora (active circa 1836-1887), signed Ichimosai Yoshitora Japan, 19th century Color woodblock prints on paper. Oban triptych. Signed Ichimosai Yoshitora with seal. Title Oshu Daikassen no zu (The Great Battle of Oshu). To the center, the warrior Nitta Shiro Tadatsune gallops full speed at his opponent, gripping a large iron club above his head and grimacing with rage. To the left, a samurai on a horse turns around in his saddle to face his enemy, thrusting his sword out at the approaching horse and knocking down several men as he rides. To the right, samurai gathered beneath a tree watch the duel with angry expressions, while just below, a retainer races ahead with a spear to intervene. Across the river, a castle is on fire, with smoke and flames billowing across the sky above the stone walls and the troops massed outside. The Great Battle of Oshu took place between the Kamakura government and the Northern Fujiwara in the Tohoku region of Japan from September 1 to October 14, 1189. It resulted in the downfall of the Northern Fujiwara and the completion of Minamoto no Yoritomo's nationwide domination through the annexation of Mutsu and Dewa Province by the Kamakura shogunate. It was the last battle of the period of civil war known as the Jisho-Juei War that began in 1180, and its end marked the establishment of the first military government, the Kamakura shogunate. SIZE ca. 36.5 x 24.2 cm (each) Condition: Good condition with minor wear. Good impression and color. Trimmed margins, light browning, some fading, folds to the edges, and minor creasing. Utagawa Yoshitora (active circa 1836-1887) was one of the leading pupils of Utagawa Kuniyoshi and excelled at warrior paintings. He also produced actor portraits, Yokohama-e, and pieces on Japan’s enlightenment.