Utagawa Kuniyoshi, "Yushi Sama-no-suke Mitsuharu"

Akechi Mitsuhide's retainer, Yushi Sama-no-suke Mitsuharu (Akechi Samanosuke Mitsuharu), battled Toyotomi Hideyoshi at the Battle of Yamazaki in 1582. Here Mitsuharu is taking an inventory of treasures belonging to the late Oda Nobunaga, ensuring they are preserved even in the midst of defeat at Hideyoshi's hands. Most of the tea wares before him appear to be of Chinese design.

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: Light trimming, binding holes on right, 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.