Japanese Woodblock Prints
Japanese Woodblock Prints
UTAGAWA KUNIYOSHI (1797–1861) THE GHOSTS OF THE TAIRA ATTACK YOSHITSUNE IN DAIMOTSU BAY, EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY)
Lot Closed
December 17, 03:02 PM GMT
Estimate
20,000 - 25,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
UTAGAWA KUNIYOSHI (1797–1861)
THE GHOSTS OF THE TAIRA ATTACK YOSHITSUNE IN DAIMOTSU BAY
EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY)
Woodblock print, embellished with mica and gofun, each sheet signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga, and with artist's paulownia seal, censor's seals Fuku (Fukushima Saburoemon) and Muramatsu (Muramatsu Genroku), published by Enshuya Hikobei, circa 1849-52
Vertical oban triptych:
Left sheet: 36.3 x 26.2 cm., 14 1/4 x 10 7/8 in.
Centre sheet: 36.4 x 25.6 cm., 14 3/8 x 10 1/8 in.
Right sheet: 36.5 x 25.4 cm., 14 1/4 x 10 in.
This iconic work depicts the ghosts of the Taira family exacting revenge upon Minamoto Yoshitsune (1159-89) following their brutal defeat during a historic battle at Daimotsu bay. The ghosts of the Taira clan are hauntingly silhouetted against a dark sky as they attack Yoshitsune’s ship. Troops can be seen frantically lowering the boat’s sails as the gigantic waves rise up ominously around them.
For another of the same print in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accession number JP1565, go to:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection
For two further examples of this print in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession numbers 11.30566a-c, 1992.568a-c, go to: