歌川派 • 武者絵 • 英雄の一騎討ちの鏡 • 日本の木版画 • 浮世絵 - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)
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Original late-Edo period Japanese woodblock print (nishiki-e, ōban) by Kansai, signed Kyōsōrō, depicting Atsumori and Kumagai Naozane from the series Mirror of Heroes' Single Combats, 36 × 24 cm, in fair condition.
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Description from the seller
Artist: Kansai (関斎), signed with his studio name Kyōsōrō (杏窓楼 関斎画)
Title: Atsumori & Kumagai Naozane
Series: 英雄組討鑑 Eiyū Kumiuchi Kagami ("Mirror of Heroes' Single Combats")
Date: c. 1852
Format: ōban—approx. 36 x 24cm
Technique: Nishiki-e
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Condition: Fair colour and impression — The composition is clearly preserved. The paper has some softening, some toning, a vertical fold and some unevenness to the margins. overall fair condition! please study the images.
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About the print
An original late-Edo Japanese woodblock print (nishiki-e, ōban) by an Utagawa school artist most likely a pupil of Kuniyoshi, signed with his studio name Kyōsōrō (杏窓楼 関斎画) and bearing the block-cutter's seal of Takatomo (髙友).
The sheet shows the most famous duel in the Tale of the Heike: the sixteen-year-old Taira flute-player Atsumori (無官太夫敦盛) — dragon-crested helmet, tiger-fur riding chaps — locked in his fatal grapple with the Minamoto warrior Kumagai Naozane at Ichi-no-Tani (1184), with a full printed text panel recounting the episode.
The design is remarkable and highly unusual: the hero is pitched head-downward in the instant of the throw, while a vast emblematic form — his billowing horo war-cloak on its wicker cage — dominates the sheet above the breaking sea. It is an inventive, almost graphic-modernist treatment quite unlike the conventional versions of this subject.
Rarity: Kansai is an obscure, barely-documented artist working in the Utagawa tradition, and prints from this series "英雄組討鑑 Eiyū Kumiuchi Kagami ("Mirror of Heroes' Single Combats")" is very seldom seen, here is such an example:
https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/359134
This particular composition has not been traced in any of the standard reference works or public print databases, making it an exceptional find for collectors of musha-e (warrior prints) and the Heike theme.
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: Kansai (関斎), signed with his studio name Kyōsōrō (杏窓楼 関斎画)
Title: Atsumori & Kumagai Naozane
Series: 英雄組討鑑 Eiyū Kumiuchi Kagami ("Mirror of Heroes' Single Combats")
Date: c. 1852
Format: ōban—approx. 36 x 24cm
Technique: Nishiki-e
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Condition: Fair colour and impression — The composition is clearly preserved. The paper has some softening, some toning, a vertical fold and some unevenness to the margins. overall fair condition! please study the images.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
About the print
An original late-Edo Japanese woodblock print (nishiki-e, ōban) by an Utagawa school artist most likely a pupil of Kuniyoshi, signed with his studio name Kyōsōrō (杏窓楼 関斎画) and bearing the block-cutter's seal of Takatomo (髙友).
The sheet shows the most famous duel in the Tale of the Heike: the sixteen-year-old Taira flute-player Atsumori (無官太夫敦盛) — dragon-crested helmet, tiger-fur riding chaps — locked in his fatal grapple with the Minamoto warrior Kumagai Naozane at Ichi-no-Tani (1184), with a full printed text panel recounting the episode.
The design is remarkable and highly unusual: the hero is pitched head-downward in the instant of the throw, while a vast emblematic form — his billowing horo war-cloak on its wicker cage — dominates the sheet above the breaking sea. It is an inventive, almost graphic-modernist treatment quite unlike the conventional versions of this subject.
Rarity: Kansai is an obscure, barely-documented artist working in the Utagawa tradition, and prints from this series "英雄組討鑑 Eiyū Kumiuchi Kagami ("Mirror of Heroes' Single Combats")" is very seldom seen, here is such an example:
https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/359134
This particular composition has not been traced in any of the standard reference works or public print databases, making it an exceptional find for collectors of musha-e (warrior prints) and the Heike theme.
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
王朝様式/時代
Edo Period (1600-1868)
原産国
Japan
帰属
Original
高さ
36 cm
幅
24 cm
作品タイトル
Utagawa school • Musha-e • Mirror of Heroes' Single Combats • Japanese Woodblock Print • Ukiyo-e
コンディション
Fair condition
来歴
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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