Comments - Handsome triptych depicting the Mukan no Tayu Atsumori, the young Taira prince who was tragically killed at age sixteen at Ichi-no-Tani during his first battle. His early death was recounted in the famous "Tale of the Heike," and retold in many kabuki and puppet plays. Here, he appears on a dappled horse, with his mother, Fuji-no-Kata, the wife of Taira no Tsunemori, at left, and his consort, Tamaori-hime, at right. The young beauty uses the end of her naginata to strike an enemy who tumbles face forward onto the ground, her sleeves tied back with a yellow sash. At left, Fuji-no-Kata stands with a bow in one hand and an arrow in the other, looking calmly down at a man sprawling on the floor before her, an arrow sticking out of his chest. The Taira butterfly crest appears on drapery framing the scene above. A nicely detailed image of this young hero and his family.
Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)
Image Size - 14" x 28 7/8"
Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Three separate panels, backed with paper. Wormholes, repaired. Slight toning and soiling. Please see photos for details.