Water in the Jars: Chibata Tatsuie, 1860 - Terrific portrait of the warrior Shibata Katsuie (here called Chibata Tatsuie) at Chokoji Castle. Ordered to guard the palace while his master Nobunaga was away campaigning, Katsuie and his 400 men were besieged by Rokkaku Yoshikata's 4000 troops, who quickly cut the aqueduct supplying water to the fortress. When the water supply dwindled, Katsuie gathered his men and destroyed the few remaining water jars, declaring that a quick death in battle was better than a slow death by thirst. They then launched a surprise assault against their attackers, successfully driving them off. Here, Katsuie sits on a folding stool covered with a tiger skin, shouting orders and directing his men to smash the large jars. He wears a red vest over a fine suit of armor, a fan in one hand and his spear leaning against his shoulder. At right, a samurai knocks a hole in a large urn with a wooden mallet, water streaming across the floor. A great image from this rarely seen series, with wonderfully expressive figures. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has this image in its collection.

Artist - Yoshifusa (active circa 1840 - 1860)

Image Size - 9 5/8" x 14 1/4" + margins as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail. Some rubbing and soiling at edges. Some light wrinkling and toning at edges. A few small holes repaired from reverse. A few minor creases. Please see photos for details. Good overall.