Heroic Stories of the Taiheiki - Few other Japanese woodblock printmakers ever matched Kuniyoshi's detail and artistry in the genre of warrior prints. Published between 1847 - 1850, Kuniyoshi's fantastic series, "Heroic Stories of the Taiheiki (Grand Pacification)," presents fifty full-length portraits of famous warriors involved in the closing period of the civil wars in 16th century Japan, just before unification of the country. These dramatic images show these leaders engaged in battle or posing heroically in all their military glory. Kuniyoshi captures the unique aspects of each warrior, with texts above detailing their heroic careers. To evade the prohibitions enacted in 1804 against depicting historic figures who lived after 1573, each warrior has a pseudonym that would have been easily recognized by the viewers of the time. The actual name of the individual is provided in parentheses. These prints are a great opportunity to collect a part of Japanese history, dynamically documented by the leading master of warrior prints.

Shioren Sajima-no-kami Masataka (Shioden Tajima-no-kami Masataka) - Dramatic depiction of the warrior Shioren Tajima-no-kami Masataka, an Akechi Clan retainer. He was defeated after launching an attack on Hideyoshi's troops, which were making their way back to Kyoto from Western Japan after Oda Nobunaga's death. He is shown here grimacing with rage, gripping his spear, what appears to be a folded Buddhist sutra tangled about his feet. His eyes bulge, his other hand is tightly clenched into a fist, and his wild hair flows over his shoulders. His battle helmet rests on the floor nearby, and next to a low table behind him. A terrific samurai portrait with a dynamic composition and marvelous detail.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 9 3/4"

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Backed with paper. Small losses at left edge, a few wormholes, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, slight rubbing at edges, a few small marks. Please see photos for details. Good overall.