Comments - Fantastic scene of the warrior Sassa Narimasa leading troops through the treacherous Sarasaragoe or Harinoki Pass in the Japanese Alps in winter. He rides a brown horse, the animal bracing itself against the steep slope as he looks out over the rugged mountain landscape, where samurai wind through the valley below. The retainers beside him struggle in the deep snow, using their standards to maintain their footing, the banners whipping in the wind above. At upper right, other troops follow behind him under the falling snow. A loyal retainer of Oda Nobunaga, Narimassa joined Tokugawa Ieyasu in fighting unsuccessfully against Toyotomi Hideyoshi after Nobunaga's death. After their defeat, Narimassa's life was spared after he submitted to Hideyoshi. An incredible image with a fantastic natural setting, beautifully detailed with fine bokashi shading and touches of burnishing on the armor. A great subject for a collector interested in the samurai tradition.

Artist - Toshinobu (1857 - 1886)

Image Size - 14" x 28 1/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Horizontal and vertical folds. Slight thinning at corners, a few holes, repaired. Creasing, slight toning and soiling. Please see photos for details. Good overall.