YOSHIKAZU – The Great Battle of Awazu – Kiso Yoshinaka's last stand – 1853 ōban triptych – Genpei - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)
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€ 120
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Selected by Giovanni Bottero
Holds a master’s in Japanese art history with over 10 years’ expertise in Asian art.
Estimate € 300 - € 500
 | €120 | |
|---|---|---|
| €100 | |
 | €25 | |
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Original 1853 Edo-period woodblock triptych by Utagawa Yoshikazu, a three-sheet ōban print depicting the Battle of Awazu with Kiso Yoshinaka and named retainers, in good condition and elevated by its preserved colours and inscription.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
** A complete 1853 warrior triptych by Utagawa Yoshikazu, pupil of Kuniyoshi, showing the Battle of Awazu, where Kiso Yoshinaka, the Minamoto general who had driven the Taira from Kyoto, met his end. A major international dealer described this design as the first time they had seen it.. **
_______________________________________________________________________________
Artist: Utagawa Yoshikazu (歌川芳員), active c. 1848–1870
Title: Awazu ōkassen (粟津大合戦) – "The Great Battle of Awazu"
Inscription: Juei sannen shōgatsu hatsuka (寿永三年正月廿日) – "20th day of the 1st month, Juei 3" (early 1184)
Named figures (from the cartouches):
Centre: Kiso no Kanja Yoshinaka (木曾冠者義仲)
Left: Imai Shirō Kanehira (今井四郎兼平)
Right: Kaba no Mikawa-no-kami Noriyori (蒲三河守範頼) and Okabe Rokuyata Tadazumi (岡部六弥太忠澄)
Further warriors of both sides are named throughout.
Date: 1853 (Kaei 6, year of the ox)
Technique: Woodblock print (mokuhanga), nishiki-e (polychrome)
Format: Ōban tate-e triptych (三枚続), three sheets, each approx. 37*25cm
Signature: Issensai Yoshikazu ga (一寿斎芳員画) on each sheet
_______________________________________________________________________________
CONDITION
Impression & Colours: The colours are present and well preserved and the impression presents well.
Paper: The paper is clean and supple, with some soiling and toning consistent with age. There is a minor ink transfer on the centre sheet. Minor binding holes. A good example of this rare design.
____________________________________________________________
The Story: The Fall of the Rising Sun General
Minamoto no Yoshinaka, raised in the Kiso mountains and known as Kiso Yoshinaka, was the first Minamoto commander to break Taira power. In 1183 he swept them out of Kyoto and was given the title Asahi Shōgun, the "Rising Sun General." His success was short. His troops' behaviour in the capital and his clashes with the retired emperor Go-Shirakawa turned the court against him. His cousin Minamoto no Yoritomo sent his brothers Noriyori and Yoshitsune west to destroy him.
Early in 1184 Yoshinaka was defeated at the Uji River and fled east toward Awazu, on the shore of Lake Biwa near Ōtsu. According to the Tale of the Heike, his horse sank into a frozen rice paddy at dusk. As he turned in the saddle to look back for his foster brother Imai Kanehira, he was struck in the face by an arrow and killed. When Kanehira saw that his lord had fallen, he put the point of his sword in his mouth and threw himself from his horse. This is one of the most famous deaths in Japanese literature.
The design, as described for this composition, shows Yoshinaka galloping across the muddy paddies, his horse spattered with mud, driving an enemy back with his spear, with a large pine framing the scene and mountains beyond. Imai Kanehira is identified by cartouche on the left sheet. On the right are men of the pursuing Kamakura army, including Noriyori, Yoritomo's brother and one of the two commanders sent against Yoshinaka.
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.
** A complete 1853 warrior triptych by Utagawa Yoshikazu, pupil of Kuniyoshi, showing the Battle of Awazu, where Kiso Yoshinaka, the Minamoto general who had driven the Taira from Kyoto, met his end. A major international dealer described this design as the first time they had seen it.. **
_______________________________________________________________________________
Artist: Utagawa Yoshikazu (歌川芳員), active c. 1848–1870
Title: Awazu ōkassen (粟津大合戦) – "The Great Battle of Awazu"
Inscription: Juei sannen shōgatsu hatsuka (寿永三年正月廿日) – "20th day of the 1st month, Juei 3" (early 1184)
Named figures (from the cartouches):
Centre: Kiso no Kanja Yoshinaka (木曾冠者義仲)
Left: Imai Shirō Kanehira (今井四郎兼平)
Right: Kaba no Mikawa-no-kami Noriyori (蒲三河守範頼) and Okabe Rokuyata Tadazumi (岡部六弥太忠澄)
Further warriors of both sides are named throughout.
Date: 1853 (Kaei 6, year of the ox)
Technique: Woodblock print (mokuhanga), nishiki-e (polychrome)
Format: Ōban tate-e triptych (三枚続), three sheets, each approx. 37*25cm
Signature: Issensai Yoshikazu ga (一寿斎芳員画) on each sheet
_______________________________________________________________________________
CONDITION
Impression & Colours: The colours are present and well preserved and the impression presents well.
Paper: The paper is clean and supple, with some soiling and toning consistent with age. There is a minor ink transfer on the centre sheet. Minor binding holes. A good example of this rare design.
____________________________________________________________
The Story: The Fall of the Rising Sun General
Minamoto no Yoshinaka, raised in the Kiso mountains and known as Kiso Yoshinaka, was the first Minamoto commander to break Taira power. In 1183 he swept them out of Kyoto and was given the title Asahi Shōgun, the "Rising Sun General." His success was short. His troops' behaviour in the capital and his clashes with the retired emperor Go-Shirakawa turned the court against him. His cousin Minamoto no Yoritomo sent his brothers Noriyori and Yoshitsune west to destroy him.
Early in 1184 Yoshinaka was defeated at the Uji River and fled east toward Awazu, on the shore of Lake Biwa near Ōtsu. According to the Tale of the Heike, his horse sank into a frozen rice paddy at dusk. As he turned in the saddle to look back for his foster brother Imai Kanehira, he was struck in the face by an arrow and killed. When Kanehira saw that his lord had fallen, he put the point of his sword in his mouth and threw himself from his horse. This is one of the most famous deaths in Japanese literature.
The design, as described for this composition, shows Yoshinaka galloping across the muddy paddies, his horse spattered with mud, driving an enemy back with his spear, with a large pine framing the scene and mountains beyond. Imai Kanehira is identified by cartouche on the left sheet. On the right are men of the pursuing Kamakura army, including Noriyori, Yoritomo's brother and one of the two commanders sent against Yoshinaka.
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
YOSHIKAZU – The Great Battle of Awazu – Kiso Yoshinaka's last stand – 1853 ōban triptych – Genpei
Condition
Good condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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