Utagawa Kuniyoshi, "Umegae, Chapter 32"

The 12th century samurai Kajiwara Genda Kagesuye of the Minamoto clan is shown battling through a barrage of arrows during the Genpai wars with the Taira clan. A plum blossom branch is affixed to his armor. Kuniyoshi pays homage to Murasaki's classic Tales of Genji, specifically Chapter 32 titled "Umegae," in which Price Genji is gifted branches from a plum tree and a pine tree. Only ten designs are known to exist from this series. A beautifully designed, and very scarce, woodblock print. 

Series: Heroic Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji
Date: ca. 1843
Size: Chutanzaku (approx. 5" x 14")
Publisher: Ibeya Sensaburo
Condition: Excellent color and condition 

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.