Kusunoki Masashige's Loyalty, 1883 - Moving scene from the life of the legendary samurai Kusunoki Masashige, a brilliant strategist and general who fought to restore the exiled Emperor Go-Daigo to the throne. He is shown just before the great Battle of Minatogawa, where Kusunoki led his men into the field at the emperor's order, knowing that his side faced superior forces and almost certain death. Badly defeated, Kusunoki and his remaining men committed suicide. Here, Kusunoki looks down with a resigned expression as he bids farewell to his eleven-year-old son Masatsura, urging him to remain loyal to the emperor. Kusunoki is remembered for his extreme loyalty and self-sacrifice, and a monument to him stands outside the Imperial Palace. The first time we've seen this subject. A rare untrimmed print with full margins.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Image Size - 8" x 10" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with good detail as shown. A couple small repairs and creases, seal in right margin. Please see photos for details.