Night View of Honno-ji Temple, 1861 - Dramatic scene from the Battle of Honno-ji in 1582 where the great Oda Nobunaga was forced to commit suicide by the treacherous Akechi Mitsuhide. Nobunaga was resting at Honno Temple when his retainer Mitsuhide attacked him in an attempt to seize power. Outnumbered and surrounded, Nobunaga committed suicide while his loyal samurai Mori Ranmaru set fire to the temple and fought off the attackers before killing himself. Here referred to as Oda Harunaga to evade censorship, he plants one foot firmly on the railing as he grips a bow in one hand and an arrow in the other. Mori Ranmaru kneels just to the left of him. In the center, Lady Ano rushes into the battle with a naginata in hand, her long hair streaming after her. At left, pink smoke and flames from a fire billow across the night sky. A lively action scene with a striking composition.

Artist - Yoshitomi (active circa 1848 - 1880)

Image Size - 13 5/8" x 29 3/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with good detail as shown. Three separate panels. Wormholes throughout, repaired. A few wrinkles and creases. Please see photos for details.