The Kawanakajima Battle

Artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Tokyo, Japan, 1798 - 1861)

Date1843-1847

Mediumcolour woodcut on paper

ClassificationsPrints

DimensionsOverall: Height: 35.9 cm, Width: 24.5 cm

AcquisitionPresented in 1951.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG006364

Keywords

About MeThis is one of Kuniyoshi's most celebrated 'musha-e' (samurai warrior's portraits).

The Japanese title in the top right means 'the brave general Arakawa Izunokami in the Kawanakajima battle' (Kawanakajima means the island where two rivers meet). This was the biggest battle during the civil war period (1567-1568) in Japan, and provides the theme for many theatrical plays and ukiyo-e during the Edo period.

The composition illustrates a traditional structure in Japanese paintings, being composed of a large space of foreground with a small space of background used to create depth, but lacking a middle ground. The waved river and the silhouettes of troops give a decorative sense to the print.

Signature: Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi with artist's paulownia seal
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This composition (showing a battle in a 16th century civil war) illustrates the traditional structure of Japanese painting - a large foreground, no middle ground and a small background to create depth