1857 (Ansei 4)／Color woodblock print on paper (hexaptych)
36.8 x 24.9 cm, 36.7 x 24.7 cm, 36.7 x 25.0 cm, 37.0 x 25.0 cm, 36.4 x 25.0 cm, 36.7 x 24.9 cm
SUMMARY
Depicted here is the Battle of Shijo Nawate, in which Kusunoki Masashige’s son Masatsura met a heroic death. Shijo Nawate was located in what is now the city of Shijonawate, Osaka. After the death of his father Masashige and as an ally of the Southern Court, Masatsura prepared to defeat Ashikaga Takauji of the Northern Court. Though victory had been won in several battles with his father’s strategies, nothing could be done for the difference in their strength. The story goes that at Shijo Nawate, he plunged himself into the enemy camp, prepared to die, and through countless flying arrows came one step away from the enemy general Ko no Moronao, but missed, and in the end committed suicide by the sword. This is written about in detail in the book Taiheiki, and was widely read by the people of Edo as an example of loyalty and filial piety between father and son.
ARTIST
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
1797-1861
Attracted the attention of Utagawa Toyokuni I with his drawing of Zhong Kui (Shoki) at age twelve, and soon became a disciple of Toyokuni’s. He fell on hard times in his 20s, but at 31 published One hundred and eight heroes of the popular Suikoden. This gained him popularity, and he came to be called “Warrior Print Kuniyoshi”. He did everything well, from actors and beautiful women to landscapes, but in particular, his triptych panoramas of warriors or historical scenes as well as his witty caricatures snatched the hearts of the general public. He gathered many excellent pupils with his natural leadership, including Ochiai Yoshiiku, Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, and Kawanabe Kyosai.
List of artworks by the same artist
INFORMATION
Friday, October 8 - Sunday, November 14, 2021
From the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Collection: “THIS IS JAPAN” Eternal Japanese Art Oita Art Museum (Oita, Japan)
Sunday, August 25 - Sunday, September 29, 2019
This Is Japan In Kyoto From The Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Collection The Museum of Kyoto (Kyoto, Japan)
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