Comments - Fantastic triptych depicting a battle from the epic Japanese story "The Taiheiki," which details the warring period between the Northern and Southern courts in the 14th century. At right, the warrior Kido Zenbei tumbles face-first off his dark gray horse as the animal rears, still gripping the reins with one hand. He lands atop two other samurai sprawled on the ground, one throwing his hand up in self-defense as another samurai on horseback prepares to strike, an iron club held high above his head. In the center, Nishiki Musashi no kami glares fiercely as he twists in the saddle, his wild hair flowing around his head. Sato Kazue no kami approaches on horseback at left, holding a pole arm and wearing a horned battle helmet. A terrific, energetic design, beautifully capturing the chaos of battle. Great color and detail in the armor and expressive faces. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has this image in its collection. A great battle scene from this historic tale.

Artist - Yoshikata (active circa 1841 - 1864)

Image Size - 13 1/4" x 28 5/8"

Condition - With excellent color and detail. Three panels, attached at the seams and backed with thin paper. Some small wormholes and areas of thinning, repaired from reverse with backing paper. Minor vertical creasing and wrinkling in subject. Some areas of ink offsetting in subject with a couple small stains in right-hand panel. Please see photos for details. Good overall.