Moon of the enemy’s lair
Artist: Tsukioka YoshitoshiWoodblock Print Name: Moon of the enemy’s lair
Series Number: #42
Date: 1886
Description: O-Usu no miko, (Little Prince Usu) was a son of the Emperor Keikō, who is traditionally considered the 12th emperor of Japan. It is unknown whether Keiko and Usu actually existed, or if the stories surrounding them are compilations from the lives of other historical figures. The exploits of Prince Usu are described in the 8th century histoical works, the Kojiki and Nihonji. Little Usu was known for his violent nature. He tore his own brother limb from limb, and later burned out the aboriginal peoples on the island of Kyushu (for a image of this, see 418.08 in the series Dai nippon shiryaku zue). In this print, Usu infiltrates a Kumaso rebel camp disguised as a woman, sword hidden behind his back. It is during this episode that one of the unfortunate rebel chieftains gives Usu his nickname, Yamato Takeru, "Bravest in Yamato."
Series: One Hundred Aspects of the Moon
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