Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳) (artist 11/15/1797 – 03/05/1861)
Shirafuji Hikoshichirō (白藤彦七郎) from the A Hundred Stories of Military Valour (Buyū hyaku den - 武勇百傳)
ca 1836
9.75 in x 14.25 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese woodblock print
Signed: Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi ga
一勇斎国芳画
Publisher: Fujiokaya Hikatarō
(Marks 062 - seal 22-014)
Censor's seal: kiwame
British Museum
Waseda University
Image from a Shinto festival at Morioka
British Museum - a different, later Kuniyoshi print from 7/1854, but of the same subject
Art and Design Library, Edinburgh
National Museums of Scotland Dr. William Peal of the Kuniyoshi Project wrote: "In spite of the series’ title, only these five designs were known to Robinson, and it is unlikely that any more exist."
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The Edinburgh Library says of this print:
The samurai Hatakeyama Shigetada (1164-1205) carrying his horse on his back; a temple is depicted in the background. Legend has it that in 1184 Shigetada and Yoshitsune attacked the undefended side of the castle of Ichinotani. Whilst descending the steep slope of Hiyodorigoe, Shigetada's horse was injured and in order to avoid defeat and dishonour, he carried the animal on his back, before successfuly staging a surprise attack.The also noted: "Shigetada fought in the Genpei War, originally on the side of the Taira (Heike) clan before switching his allegiance to the Minamoto (Genji) clan who triumphed at the decisive Battle of Dan no Ura in 1185."
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The British Museum web site describes this print as: "Shirafuji Hikoshichiro lifting a struggling white horse onto his shoulders; Ashikaga Takauji about to enter Fukkaiji Temple in the background."
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Illustrated in Ukiyo-e dai musha-e ten - 浮世絵大武者絵展 - (The Samurai World in Ukiyo-e), edited by Yuriko Iwakiri, Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts, 2003, #42, p. 174.
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In Heroes of the Grand Pacification: Kuniyoshi's Taiheiki Eiyū Den it says "The print of Shirafuji Hikoshichirō lifting a horse onto his shoulders as he pursues Ashikaga Takauji alludes to the surprise attack on Hideyoshi by Shiōden Masataka..."
warrior prints (musha-e - 武者絵) (genre)
Fujiokaya Hikotarō (藤岡屋彦太郎) (publisher)
Taiheiki (太平記) (genre)