Comments - Charming depiction of young boys enacting the famous Battle of Ishibashiyama. After his defeat, Minamoto commander Yoritomo and a retainer hid in a hollow tree while his spy among the Taira, Kajiwara Kagetoki, diverted attention away from his hiding place. Here, two children hide behind a folding screen at right, while an older boy holding a bow pretends to be Kagetoki, gesturing in the opposite direction as a Taira general, played by a child wearing a helmet, approaches. In the center, a mother holds her smiling baby, who reaches towards two young boys wrestling over a rattle with bells on the floor below. Toy arrows, masks, and a drum litter the floor, and a cat plays with a colorful cloth ball. The room opens onto a view of a garden framed by a persimmon tree, with a child hurrying to break up his companions' struggle. A delightful design and an unusual Chikanobu subject with wonderful color and detail.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 13 7/8" x 27 7/8" + margin as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels, backed with paper. Slight separation at end of vertical fold near left edge of left panel, repaired. Slight toning. Please see photos for details. Good overall.