Yōshū Chikanobu – The race across the Uji River – The Tale of the Heike – 1898 - Japan - Meiji period (1868-1912)
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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 € 150 - € 200
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This original Japanese nishiki-e woodblock print by Yōshū Chikanobu depicts Sasaki Takatsuna and Kajiwara Kagesue racing across the Uji River in a scene from The Tale of the Heike, and dates to 1898, the Meiji period.
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Description from the seller
** The race across the Uji River · Sasaki Takatsuna and Kajiwara Kagesue · famous Genpei War episode · 1898 first-edition publisher **
Artist: Yōshū Chikanobu 楊洲周延 (1838–1912)
Title: Sasaki, Kajiwara 佐々木 梶原 (Sasaki Takatsuna and Kajiwara Kagesue)
Series: Heike monogatari (The Tale of the Heike), 1898. The sheets carry no series title. Dealers usually call it “Heroes and Heroines of the Tale of the Heike.”
Publisher: Fukuda Hatsujirō 福田初次郎, Nihonbashi, Tokyo
Date: 1898 (Meiji 31)
Signature: 楊洲周延 (Yōshū Chikanobu), with red artist’s seal
Technique: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and colour on paper
Format: Horizontal sheet, approx. 24 × 35 cm
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Condition
Impression & Colours: A well-preserved impression with fair colours across the sheet.
Paper: Moderate toning and wear to margins! Good overall. Please check the images before bidding!
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About the print
In early 1184, Minamoto no Yoritomo sent an army against his cousin Kiso no Yoshinaka, who had seized Kyoto. Yoshinaka’s men held the far bank of the Uji River, south of the capital, and the river was running high with snowmelt. Two of Yoritomo’s warriors, Sasaki Takatsuna and Kajiwara Kagesue, each wanted the honour of being the first to cross. Their rivalry had started before the campaign. Kagesue had asked Yoritomo for his finest horse, Ikezuki, and was refused and given Surusumi instead. Takatsuna was then given Ikezuki.
At the river, Kagesue rode into the water first. Takatsuna called out to him that his saddle girth was loose and might slip. Kagesue stopped to tighten it, and Takatsuna drove Ikezuki past him, cut through the ropes stretched under the water to trip horses, and reached the far bank first. The Tale of the Heike tells the story as a lesson in quick wits, and the “race to be first across the Uji” (Ujigawa no senjin) became one of the most often illustrated scenes of the Genpei War.
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.
** The race across the Uji River · Sasaki Takatsuna and Kajiwara Kagesue · famous Genpei War episode · 1898 first-edition publisher **
Artist: Yōshū Chikanobu 楊洲周延 (1838–1912)
Title: Sasaki, Kajiwara 佐々木 梶原 (Sasaki Takatsuna and Kajiwara Kagesue)
Series: Heike monogatari (The Tale of the Heike), 1898. The sheets carry no series title. Dealers usually call it “Heroes and Heroines of the Tale of the Heike.”
Publisher: Fukuda Hatsujirō 福田初次郎, Nihonbashi, Tokyo
Date: 1898 (Meiji 31)
Signature: 楊洲周延 (Yōshū Chikanobu), with red artist’s seal
Technique: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and colour on paper
Format: Horizontal sheet, approx. 24 × 35 cm
----------------------------------------------------------------
Condition
Impression & Colours: A well-preserved impression with fair colours across the sheet.
Paper: Moderate toning and wear to margins! Good overall. Please check the images before bidding!
-------------------------------------------------------
About the print
In early 1184, Minamoto no Yoritomo sent an army against his cousin Kiso no Yoshinaka, who had seized Kyoto. Yoshinaka’s men held the far bank of the Uji River, south of the capital, and the river was running high with snowmelt. Two of Yoritomo’s warriors, Sasaki Takatsuna and Kajiwara Kagesue, each wanted the honour of being the first to cross. Their rivalry had started before the campaign. Kagesue had asked Yoritomo for his finest horse, Ikezuki, and was refused and given Surusumi instead. Takatsuna was then given Ikezuki.
At the river, Kagesue rode into the water first. Takatsuna called out to him that his saddle girth was loose and might slip. Kagesue stopped to tighten it, and Takatsuna drove Ikezuki past him, cut through the ropes stretched under the water to trip horses, and reached the far bank first. The Tale of the Heike tells the story as a lesson in quick wits, and the “race to be first across the Uji” (Ujigawa no senjin) became one of the most often illustrated scenes of the Genpei War.
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
Meiji period (1868-1912)
Number of objects
1
Country of Origin
Japan
Attribution
Original
Title of artwork
Yōshū Chikanobu – The race across the Uji River – The Tale of the Heike – 1898
Condition
Good condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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