Title : Pictures of the History of War — Taiheki Kassen Kore Zu

Artist : Utagawa Yoshitora

Date : 1845

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Source : Japanese Art Open Database
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Description : A Fine Japanese Ukiyoe Woodblock Triptych by Yoshitora, Dated 1845. Utagawa Yoshitora was one of a number of pupils of Kuniyoshi. The dates of his birth and death are not known but according to Robert's "Dictionary of Japanese Artists" he worked around 1850-1880. However, this print clearly has the censor's date seal for 1845. The title of the print is "Taiheki Kassen Kore Zu" (Pictures of the History of War). Each sheet is signed Ichimosai Yoshitora together with the publisher's seal. The colour is pristine with no fading and the impression very good. There is no damage and no repairs, it is lightly backed with Japanese paper and has probably been mounted with others as a makimono (horizontal handscroll). Apart from the obviously military aspects of the scene, the rural background is beautifully rendered and, to the left, monks can be see fleeing toward their temple. The whole design is less busy than many similar and the whole makes a very satisfying composition. It must be born in mind that the public for whom this print would have been produced were very familiar with the the history of their race and would almost certainly know the incident recorded. Thus they would primarily be aware of the various characters involved (their names are recorded in red cartouches) and the pictorial aspect, which is usually the primary aspect to Western collectors, would be of secondary interest to the contemporary print buying public. The overall dimensions are 30 x 14 ins (76 x 35.5 cms).

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