Title : Watönai (Katö Kiyomasa) Hunting a Tiger

Artist : Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Date : c. 1842 - 1847

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Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description : The subject of this print is the daimyo Katö Kiyomasa (1562-1611), a valiant soldier who served under the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and, along with Hideyoshi, earned a reputation as one of the “Seven Spears” of Shizugatake. He was also famous for his exploits in Korea; this triptych is a depiction of his battles there. Katö is portrayed battling a fierce Korean tiger as it retreats in the snow with one of Katö’s soldiers grasped in its jaws. Much like dragons, tigers have a mythical status in China, Korea, and Japan. The tiger is associated with ferocity and strength, making it the perfect symbol for a warrior. "Imagination, Power Humor: The Art of Utagawa Kuniyoshi" 10/14/2010 - 12/19/2010 **************************************** The subject of this print is the daimyo Katö Kiyomasa (1562-1611), a valiant soldier under the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who, along with Hideyoshi, earned the reputation as one of the "Seven Spears" of Shizugatake. Also famous for his exploits in Korea, his battles there are depicted in this triptych. Katö battles a fierce Korean tiger as it retreats in the snow with one of Katö's own soldiers grasped in its jaw. Tigers are a relatively common subject matter among contemporary tattoo artists. Much like the popular image of a dragon, the tiger has mythical status in China, Korea, and Japan. It is associated with ferocity and strength, making it the perfect symbol for a warrior. Contemporary tattoo artist Horiyoshi III is well known for his designs for full back tattoos depicting ferocious tigers and employing little preparatory drawing, instead relying on freely drawn tattoo techniques. (Tattoo exhbition 2005)

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