Utagawa Kuniyoshi, "Shimura Masazo Katsutoyo"

Shimura Masazo Katsutoyo (Kimura Matzo Shigekatsu) was a retainer of Katō Kiyomasa and participated in the Hideyoshi's campaign in Korea. Kuniyoshi chose to showcase Shigekatsu's fame as a sumo wrestler in this work. The bucket contains special water sumo wrestlers use to raise their energy (chikamarizu) and napkins (chikaragami) used to wipe their bodies for purification during matches.

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 top edge, 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.