Gravure originale sur bois - Papier - rupture d'armure - Katsukawa Shunzan (act 1780-1801) - Taira no Kagekiyo pulling the helmet of Mionoya Juro Kunitoshi - Japon - vers 1780-89

Original woodblock print - Katsukawa Shunzan (act 1780-1801) - Taira no Kagekiyo pulling the helmet of Mionoya Juro Kunitoshi - Japan - ca 1780-89

This interesting 18th century print shows Taira no Kagekiyo tearing off the helmet flap of Mionoya Juro Kunitoshi at the Battle of Yashima in the Taira-Minamoto wars. We see the waves behind and the two warriors are stood in front of a gnarled old pine tree. The determination on the faces of both figures is fascinating. There are many details in the print. Nature is respected and beautifully depicted. The lapping waves, the butterflie adorned sleeves, the formation of the pine tree. There is a crease in centre running from face of Juro Kunitoshi running across to right hand side but this 18th century print is interesting for a collector.

For another musha-e (warrior picture) by the artist. See British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_1906-1220-0-186