YOSHIMORI – Minamoto no Yoshiie receives the imperial commission – Ōshū campaign – 1863 Bunkyū court - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)
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Original Edo-period Ōban triptych by Utagawa Yoshimori (1830–1884) depicting Minamoto no Yoshiie receiving the imperial commission for Ōshū, published in 1863 by Sagamiya Tōkichi, with three sheets each about 36 × 24 cm, two in very good condition with fresh colour and one with issues; provenance Private collection, country of origin Japan.
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Description from the seller
Artist: Utagawa (Ikkōsai) Yoshimori 歌川芳盛 (1830–1884), pupil of Kuniyoshi
Title: Minamoto no Yoshiie Ason Ōshū Seibatsu no Zu (源義家朝臣奥州征罸之圖), "Lord Minamoto no Yoshiie's Punitive Expedition to Ōshū"
Subject: Yoshiie (labelled on the sheet as Hachiman Tarō Yoshiie 八幡太郎義家) receiving the imperial order for his campaign in the north
Format: Ōban triptych, each sheet approx. [36 × 24 cm]
Technique: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and colour on paper
Date: Bunkyū 3 (1863), 1st month
Publisher: Sagamiya Tōkichi (Aitō 相卜), Shitaya
Signature: Ikkōsai Yoshimori ga (一光斎芳盛画), on each sheet
Collections: The design is held by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, National Museums Scotland and the New Mexico Museum of Art
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Condition: Two sheets have very good impression with fresh colour throughout. The paper is firm with a subtle texture. The third sheet has many issues including mild stains and scuffs. Please refer to the images for full detail!
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About the print
Minamoto no Yoshiie (1039–1106), known as Hachiman Tarō, the "first son of Hachiman", was the most celebrated warrior of the Heian period and an ancestor of the Minamoto shoguns. He fought in the north-eastern province of Mutsu (Ōshū) twice: first with his father Yoriyoshi in the Former Nine Years' War, and later as commander in the Later Three Years' War. These campaigns made him the model warrior of the Minamoto line.
This triptych places him at court rather than on the battlefield. National Museums Scotland describes the scene as the delivery of the imperial commission to Yoshiie for his expedition into Mutsu. A court attendant carries the document down the palace steps while Yoshiie kneels below among the assembled retainers. The design was published in the first month of 1863. That spring the shogun Iemochi travelled to Kyoto to meet the emperor, the first such visit in more than two hundred years, and publishers issued many prints of warriors appearing before the court that year.
Seller's Story
I've been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for quite a while now — everything from classic ukiyo-e to shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga. What started as a personal passion eventually turned into something more, and these days I source prints from auctions, galleries, and private collections across Japan and Europe.
With growing worldwide interest in Japanese woodblock prints, gallery prices have been climbing steadily. My goal is simple: offer high-quality, authentic prints at reasonable prices. I'm picky about what I sell — I look for pieces that have been stored properly, kept flat, and are free from serious foxing, stains, or damage.
I'm based in Germany, which means EU buyers won't deal with any import duties or taxes. For US buyers, original artworks under HS code 9702 are duty-free as well. And wherever you are, I pack everything carefully with multiple layers of protection so your print arrives safely.
If you have questions about a piece, just reach out. You will get access to contact me once you've won an item from my lots.
Artist: Utagawa (Ikkōsai) Yoshimori 歌川芳盛 (1830–1884), pupil of Kuniyoshi
Title: Minamoto no Yoshiie Ason Ōshū Seibatsu no Zu (源義家朝臣奥州征罸之圖), "Lord Minamoto no Yoshiie's Punitive Expedition to Ōshū"
Subject: Yoshiie (labelled on the sheet as Hachiman Tarō Yoshiie 八幡太郎義家) receiving the imperial order for his campaign in the north
Format: Ōban triptych, each sheet approx. [36 × 24 cm]
Technique: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and colour on paper
Date: Bunkyū 3 (1863), 1st month
Publisher: Sagamiya Tōkichi (Aitō 相卜), Shitaya
Signature: Ikkōsai Yoshimori ga (一光斎芳盛画), on each sheet
Collections: The design is held by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, National Museums Scotland and the New Mexico Museum of Art
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Condition: Two sheets have very good impression with fresh colour throughout. The paper is firm with a subtle texture. The third sheet has many issues including mild stains and scuffs. Please refer to the images for full detail!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
About the print
Minamoto no Yoshiie (1039–1106), known as Hachiman Tarō, the "first son of Hachiman", was the most celebrated warrior of the Heian period and an ancestor of the Minamoto shoguns. He fought in the north-eastern province of Mutsu (Ōshū) twice: first with his father Yoriyoshi in the Former Nine Years' War, and later as commander in the Later Three Years' War. These campaigns made him the model warrior of the Minamoto line.
This triptych places him at court rather than on the battlefield. National Museums Scotland describes the scene as the delivery of the imperial commission to Yoshiie for his expedition into Mutsu. A court attendant carries the document down the palace steps while Yoshiie kneels below among the assembled retainers. The design was published in the first month of 1863. That spring the shogun Iemochi travelled to Kyoto to meet the emperor, the first such visit in more than two hundred years, and publishers issued many prints of warriors appearing before the court that year.
Seller's Story
I've been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for quite a while now — everything from classic ukiyo-e to shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga. What started as a personal passion eventually turned into something more, and these days I source prints from auctions, galleries, and private collections across Japan and Europe.
With growing worldwide interest in Japanese woodblock prints, gallery prices have been climbing steadily. My goal is simple: offer high-quality, authentic prints at reasonable prices. I'm picky about what I sell — I look for pieces that have been stored properly, kept flat, and are free from serious foxing, stains, or damage.
I'm based in Germany, which means EU buyers won't deal with any import duties or taxes. For US buyers, original artworks under HS code 9702 are duty-free as well. And wherever you are, I pack everything carefully with multiple layers of protection so your print arrives safely.
If you have questions about a piece, just reach out. You will get access to contact me once you've won an item from my lots.
Details
Dynastic Style/Period
Edo Period (1600-1868)
Country of Origin
Japan
Attribution
Original
Height
36 cm
Width
73 cm
Title of artwork
YOSHIMORI – Minamoto no Yoshiie receives the imperial commission – Ōshū campaign – 1863 Bunkyū court
Condition
Fair condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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