The Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armour
The Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armour
The Property of a Gentleman
The Battles of Ichinotani and Yashima | Edo period, late 17th - early 18th century
Lot Closed
May 11, 02:01 PM GMT
Estimate
25,000 - 30,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
The Property of a Gentleman
The Battles of Ichinotani and Yashima
Edo period, late 17th - early 18th century
twelve paintings mounted as a pair of six-panel folding screens; ink, colour, gold and gofun on paper, with signature and seal, silk brocade border, black lacquer mount, copper-gilt fittings
2
172.5 x 64.5 cm., 69 x 25 ⅜ in. (when folded)
175.2 x 387 cm., 69 x 152 ⅜ in. (when unfolded)
126 x 48 cm., 49 ⅝ x 18 ⅞ in. (each painting)
The right screen depicts the battle of Ichinotani at Suma in 1184, with the initial assault of the Minamoto commanded through the Hiyodori Pass. To the very left panel, Kumagai from the Minamoto clan famously charges at the young nobleman Atsumori, the latter’s poignant death most famously recounted in the eponymous Noh play by Zeami.
The left screen shows the Battle of Yashima, where Nasu no Yoichi (circa 1169-1232) adroitly fires an arrow at a red fan held aloft by a Taira lady to test the warrior’s skill. Successfully hitting the target, the red fan is tossed along by the waves as it falls by the side of the boat. Facing significant defeat in these two battles, the Taira clan are brought close to annihilation and the Genpei Wars draw to a dramatic close.
For an example of an early 17th century pair of six-panel folding screens depicting the Battles of Ichinotani and Yashima in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, (The MET), go to: to: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/75970