Kuro Hogan Minamoto no Yoshitsune at Mure Takamatsu
Woodblock Print
1750-1760 (made)
1750-1760 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This Japanese woodblock print by Torii Kiyohiro of about 1760 is entitled Kuro Hogan Minamoto no Yoshitsune at Mure Takamatsu.
Minamoto Yoshitsune (1159-1189) can be seen carrying the traditional weaponry of the Kamakura period (1185-1333) warrior: a tiger fur-wrapped sword (tachi); a bow and a quiver of arrows on his back; and a guardless ‘waist-sword’ (koshigatana) at his left side. This scene depicts an event just before the battle of Yashima in 1185, which preceded the final battle between the Taira and Minamoto clans at Dannoura.
Minamoto no Yoshitsune was one of the major figures in the Taira-Minamoto Wars of 1180-1185. He has been immortalized in legend as Japan's foremost tragic hero. Although Japan was growing more stable during his lifetime, allegiances changed rapidly and eventually Yoshitsune was forced to commit suicide by his brother Yoritomo. Allegedly a handsome young man, Yoshitsune’s tragic life history appealed to the Japanese and many stories and legends developed around him.
Minamoto Yoshitsune (1159-1189) can be seen carrying the traditional weaponry of the Kamakura period (1185-1333) warrior: a tiger fur-wrapped sword (tachi); a bow and a quiver of arrows on his back; and a guardless ‘waist-sword’ (koshigatana) at his left side. This scene depicts an event just before the battle of Yashima in 1185, which preceded the final battle between the Taira and Minamoto clans at Dannoura.
Minamoto no Yoshitsune was one of the major figures in the Taira-Minamoto Wars of 1180-1185. He has been immortalized in legend as Japan's foremost tragic hero. Although Japan was growing more stable during his lifetime, allegiances changed rapidly and eventually Yoshitsune was forced to commit suicide by his brother Yoritomo. Allegedly a handsome young man, Yoshitsune’s tragic life history appealed to the Japanese and many stories and legends developed around him.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Kuro Hogan Minamoto no Yoshitsune at Mure Takamatsu (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Colour print from woodblocks |
| Brief description | Limited colour woodblock print (benizuri-e), Torii Kiyohiro: 'The Warrior Hero Minamoto no Yoshitsune', Japanese, late 1750s |
| Physical description | This is a scene of the battle of Yashima during the war between the Minamoto and Taira clans (1180-1185). According to Heike Monogatari (Tales of the Heike), and the Genpei Seisuiki (Rise and Fall of the Minamoto and Taira clans), Minamoto no Yoshitsune's army appeared so formidable to the Heike that they took to the sea to escape and here Yoshitsune is shown on the beach preparing to advance to the sea. This is probably one of the earliest depictions of a scene which became a common theme in ukiyo-e. Limited colour woodblock print: Benizuri-e. Large hosoban size. Signature: Gako Torii Kiyohiro. Seal: Kiyohiro. Publisher: Maruya Kohei |
| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Sydney D. Aris |
| Object history | This work was given to the V&A by Sydney Dorothy Aris (1884-1966) who was born in Manra Island in Kiribati, the daughter of John T Arundel (1841-1919) who had various business interests in the Pacific including the mining of guano and phosphates. Arundel and his wife Lillie named their daughter for her place of birth, Manra being known as Sydney Island at the time. It is not known how Mrs Aris acquired her Japanese objects, but in correspondence with the museum she mentions knowing Thomas B Blow who lived in Kyoto from 1906 to at least 1914 and supplied Japanese objects to many collectors in Europe. However, it is quite likely that this work was acquired in Britain or Europe where Japanese paintings and prints were circulating in great numbers by the late 19th-early 20th century. |
| Summary | This Japanese woodblock print by Torii Kiyohiro of about 1760 is entitled Kuro Hogan Minamoto no Yoshitsune at Mure Takamatsu. Minamoto Yoshitsune (1159-1189) can be seen carrying the traditional weaponry of the Kamakura period (1185-1333) warrior: a tiger fur-wrapped sword (tachi); a bow and a quiver of arrows on his back; and a guardless ‘waist-sword’ (koshigatana) at his left side. This scene depicts an event just before the battle of Yashima in 1185, which preceded the final battle between the Taira and Minamoto clans at Dannoura. Minamoto no Yoshitsune was one of the major figures in the Taira-Minamoto Wars of 1180-1185. He has been immortalized in legend as Japan's foremost tragic hero. Although Japan was growing more stable during his lifetime, allegiances changed rapidly and eventually Yoshitsune was forced to commit suicide by his brother Yoritomo. Allegedly a handsome young man, Yoshitsune’s tragic life history appealed to the Japanese and many stories and legends developed around him. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.364-1954 |
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| Record created | December 13, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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