previous page

view print

Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)		from: Taiheiki eiyu-den (Heroic Biographies from the 'Tale of the Grand Pacification') - no. 18: Matsunaga Danjô Hisahide (1510-1577) -
		Signed:                         Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga Date:                             1847-50 Censor's seal:              Mera and Murata Publisher:                    Yamamoto-ya Heikichi Size:                              ôban tate-e (c. 37 x 25.5 cms / c. 14 1/2" x 10") Condition: FINE impression, color and condition. Thin album backing, small binding holes along the left margin. ref. no.:  # 773356-3 Price:     € 750.00

"Matsunaga Hisahide is shown in the moment immediately preceding his ritual suicide (seppuku). He has taken off his suit of armour and assumed the pose in which seppuku is committed. His belly is stripped. The blade of his short sword is wrapped with a cloth at the half of its length in order to keep it short enough not to touch the organs, wounding of which could interfere with completion of the seppuku. Matsunaga has just smashed to pieces a vessel for tea ceremony particularly treasured by him. Matsunaga's countenance reveals the highest degree of resolution, expressed in his grimace and gesture. The rendition of Matsunaga's face differs from all other portraits in the set. Kuniyoshi's artistry here borders on naturalism: Matsunaga's aged face is wrinkled, his hair, streaming as usual in the images of Kuniyoshi's heroes in critical circumstances, is grey." (*) - (The full description will come with the print.) Reference: - B.W. Robinson, "KUNIYOSHI - The Warrior Prints"; Oxford, 1982; series: S.62, no. #22. - E. Varshavskaya, "Heroes of the Grand Pacification"; Amsterdam, 2005, no. #18 (*).

   previous page                                                                 view print