Comments - Fantastic triptych showing the bloodied retainers of Takechi Mitsuhide (the real-life Akechi Mitsuhide) during the Battle of Yamazaki. One of Oda Nobunaga's generals, the treacherous Mitsuhide betrayed his master in an effort to rule Japan, leading to Nobunaga's death. His forces were crushed at the Battle of Yamazaki by an army under the command of loyal Nobunaga warrior Toyotomi Hideyoshi. At left, Mitsuhide sits atop his fallen horse, broken arrows protruding from his armor and his mount. In the center a samurai leans heavily on a standard, bleeding from wounds to his head and legs. Below him a warrior drinks greedily from the edge of the river, leaning into the water with both hands, bending the reeds down as he does so. Mitsuhide's forces can be seen in silhouette fighting on the opposite shore, pursued by the warriors of Hideyoshi. A castle is visible at upper right at the foot of a large mountain. An incredible image with excellent detail and expressive figures, beautifully drawn. A great early battle triptych by Yoshitoshi.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 27 3/4"

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Three separate panels. A few small wormholes, repaired. Creasing, slight toning and soiling, slight rubbing at edges, whitish spots. Please see photos for details.