Utagawa Kuniyoshi, "Sasai Ukon Masanao"

Sasai Ukon Masanao (Sakai Ukon Masanao) was a loyal supporter of Oda Nobunaga who lead a charge at Mt. Hiei against the Nagamasa and Yoshikage forces. Here Masanao stands imposingly on the trunk of the Karasaki pine waiting for Nobunaga to ferry him and his soldiers away from the battlefield after a successful raid. His pose is defensive, yet imposing and heroic as he makes his last stand.

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: Small stain 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.