Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

1839-1892

A Mirror of Famous Commanders of Great Japan: Yamato Takeru no Mikoto
(Dai Nippon meisho kagami: Yamato Takeru no Mikoto)

signed oju Yoshitoshi, with artist's seal Taiso, with publisher's cartouche of Kumagaya Shoshichi, ca. 1878-80

oban tate-e 14 1/8 by 9 1/2 in., 36 by 24.2 cm

Between 1876 and 1882, Yoshitoshi produced fifty-one prints for this ambitious series depicting stories of famous warriors from history and legends. Yamato Takeru no mikoto was the third son of the legendary 12th Emperor Keiko. The stories about Prince Takeru are found in the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan) compiled for the Imperial family in the 7th and 8th centuries, and the 8th century Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters). Both accounts record that Emperor Keiko sent the strong-willed Takeru away on a mission to quell his enemies after the prince murdered his elder brother Ousu. Although he was successful on various campaigns, Takeru predeceased his father, dying during the 43rd year of Keiko's reign.

References:
Roger Keyes, Courage and Silence, 1983, p. 413, no. 334.1
Eric van den Ing & Robert Schaap, Beauty and Violence, 1992, p. 116, no. 27.1
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession no. 11.18091
(inv. no. 10-5338)

price: $225