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
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
More About Me
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
Meiji Period, 1868 - 1912
Meiji Period, 1868 - 1912
