Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) | The Ghosts of the Taira Attack Yoshitsune in Daimotsu Bay | Edo period, 19th century
Lot Closed
December 19, 01:58 PM GMT
Estimate
25,000 - 30,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861)
The Ghosts of the Taira Attack Yoshitsune in Daimotsu Bay
Edo period, 19th century
woodblock print, triptych, each sheet signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga (Pictured by Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi), and with artist's paulownia seal, censors' seals Fuku (Fukushima Saburoemon) and Muramatsu (Muramatsu Genroku), published by Enshuya Hikobei, circa 1849-52
Vertical oban triptych: each sheet approx. 36.1 x 24.9 cm., 14¼ x 9¾ in.
One of Kuniyoshi’s most iconic designs, the ghosts of the Taira clan rise from the dead after their defeat at the Battle of Dan-no-ura in 1185 to exact their revenge on Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159-1189). The ghosts of the soldiers are silhouetted in various colours against the night sky as they threaten Yoshitsune’s ship. Troops frantically lower the boat’s sails before the menacing waves and ensuing sea storm.
For a similar impression of the same triptych in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET), accession number JP1565, go to:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/55743
Two further examples of this triptych are in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession numbers 11.30566a-c and 1992.568a-c, go to: