Comments - Fantastic, comical scene of a battle between vegetable and fish warriors. At right, the vegetable troops are assembled along the shore under the direction of a gourd-headed general waving his battle fan from astride his black horse. A pepper-faced samurai in the center frowns with determination as he draws his sword back above his head. At left, an octopus shoots forth a beam of light, releasing tiny octopus warriors armed with swords and spears. He is surrounded by samurai with a variety of different fish for their heads. A great wave curls over the sea life at left, splashing down into the center panel of the design, where enemies face each other swinging swords. The subject supposedly refers to the cholera epidemic of 1858, when it was thought to be safer to eat vegetables than risk catching the disease from eating fish. Hirokage was a student of Hiroshige, and this imaginative triptych is considered his masterwork. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has this image in its collection. Filled with action and wonderful creative detail, this incredible triptych is a rare find and is a terrific choice for an ukiyo-e collector.

Artist - Hirokage (active circa 1855 - 1865)

Image Size - 13 3/4" x 29" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels, backed with paper. Wormholes and thinning spots, repaired. Slight toning, soiling, and rubbing. Please see photos for details. Good overall.