Kobayakawa Sayemon no suke Takakane (Kobayakawa Takakage)

by Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Current Status

Kobayakawa Sayemon no suke Takakane (Kobayakawa Takakage)  by Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Original Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861) Japanese Woodblock Print
Kobayakawa Sayemon no suke Takakane (Kobayakawa Takakage)

Series; Heroic Stories of the Taiheiki (Taiheiki Eiyuden)

Heroic Stories of the Taiheiki - Few other Japanese woodblock printmakers ever matched Kuniyoshi's detail and artistry in the genre of warrior prints. Published between 1847 - 1850, Kuniyoshi's fantastic series, "Heroic Stories of the Taiheiki (Grand Pacification)," presents fifty full-length portraits of famous warriors involved in the closing period of the civil wars in 16th century Japan, just before unification of the country. These dramatic images show these leaders engaged in battle or posing heroically in all their military glory. Kuniyoshi captures the unique aspects of each warrior, with texts above detailing their heroic careers. To evade the prohibitions enacted in 1804 against depicting historic figures who lived after 1573, each warrior has a pseudonym that would have been easily recognized by the viewers of the time. The actual name of the individual is provided in parentheses. These prints are a great opportunity to collect a part of Japanese history, dynamically documented by the leading master of warrior prints.

Kobayakawa Sayemon no suke Takakane (Kobayakawa Takakage) - Handsome portrait of the sixteenth-century nobleman Kobayakawa Takakage, who initially fought against Nobunaga and Hideyoshi. After Japan was reunified, he was a strong political presence, ruling the provinces of Chikuzen and Chikugo. He is shown sitting on a fur rug, wearing a formal court cap and robes over his armor. A go board sits at left, with a tea bowl and an offering tray filled with sweets nearby. Tall pine trees are silhouetted along the horizon behind him. A fine design.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Image Size - 14" x 9 1/2"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Stitching holes along one side from previous folio binding, a few wormholes or holes, most prints have losses at corners, repaired, blends well. Soiling, creasing, and rubbing. Please see photos for details.

Kobayakawa Sayemon no suke Takakane (Kobayakawa Takakage)  by Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)
Kobayakawa Sayemon no suke Takakane (Kobayakawa Takakage)  by Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Auction Rules and guidelines

This Auction Falls Under Our Standard Auction Rules and Guidelines

If you are a new bidder, please read the Rules and Guidelines page before bidding.