Comments - Dramatic depiction of the conquest of a castle. At right, a young Minamoto warrior gallops along on a black horse, gripping his bow in one hand and an arrow in the other as he leans over the animals' neck. He wears a fine suit of armor and a horned battle helmet topped with a dragon, a tiger skin serving as a saddle blanket. In the center, the samurai on the brown horse turns to glare fiercely back over his shoulder, his bow and striped rein in his hand. His helmet is topped with a lion figurine. At left, two warriors grapple on the ground, one tying the other up with a narrow cord caught between his teeth and looped over his hand. The fallen samurai is Fujiwara no Tsunekiyo, the Provisional Master of Watari, and his attacker is Taira no Kunitae, who wears a magnificent personal standard made of waving peacock feathers. In a Minamoto encampment at left, troops are massed along the shore, with wooden shields forming a barrier and tent walls emblazoned with the Minamoto paulownia crest. The castle rises high above stone walls at right. A terrific image with wonderful detail in the armor and clothing, and beautiful rich color with fine shading in the water and sky. A handsome design.

Artist - Yoshitora (active circa 1840 - 1880)

Image Size - 14" x 28 1/4" + top margin as shown

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Three separate panels. A few wormholes, repaired. Slight rubbing at edges. Please see photos for details.