Utagawa Kuniyoshi, "Sada Mutsu-no kami Arimasa"

Sada Mutsu-no kami Arimasa (Sassa Narimasa) lead many campaigns for Oda Nobunaga and would later serve under Toyotomi Hideyoshi after Nobunaga's death. Here, Narimasa is shown astride a horse during his expedition across the Tateyama mountains. The grey of a dark, cloudy sky contrasts wonderfully with the deep white snow on the ground. Because of Nobunaga's reputation as the "Demon King," Arimasa war flag is adorned with an oni (Japanese demon).

Kuniyoshi's Taiheiki eiyu den chronicles the period of civil war in 16th century Japan in the years leading up to the unification of Japan under the Tokugawa Shogunate. Composed of fifty woodblock prints, Kuniyoshi's Taiheiki contains some of the artist's most iconic designs. The historical names (in parentheses) of the figures depicted have been altered to avoid censorship during the Edo-period.

Series: Heroes of the Grand Pacification (Taiheiki)
Date: 1848
Size: Oban
Publisher: Yamamoto-ya Heikichi
Condition: Staining bottom, binding holes, otherwise excellent color and condition
Frame Shown: 16" x 24" x 1/2", Classic Wood, Ebony Walnut

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861) is one of Japan's greatest masters of ukiyo-e printmaking from the Edo period. Many of Kuniyoshi's works are regarded today as archetypes of woodblock prints produced during the Edo period and highly prized by collectors.