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Japanese Art
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Japanese Art
Egenolf Gallery Japanese Prints
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Burbank, CA 91503
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Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861), Yoshitsune and Benkei Fight on Gojo Bridge,
1839-1840, Japanese color woodblock print diptych
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861), Yoshitsune and Benkei Fight on Gojo Bridge,
1839-1840, Japanese color woodblock print diptych

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861), Fight to the Death of the Heroic Samurai of the Kusunoki Clan at Shijo-Nawate 楠家勇士四條縄手にて討死, Japanese color woodblock print triptych. 1851. Each sheet 37.9 x 26 cm.
The last stand of the Kusunoki Clan at Shijo-nawate in 1348. Three warriors keep fighting against impossible odds and a hail of arrows. Wada Shinboshi (Genshu) leads the counterattack at right. He brandishes two severed heads to shield his own face against the incoming onslaught of arrows, still moving forward, his weapon in his right hand. In the middle sheet is Masatomo, who holds a lowered battle standard as another improvised shield. To the left is Kusunoki Matsutsura, who crouches between a fallen horse and some planks of wood that he has used as cover, hoisting in front of him the body of an expired samurai as a shield. In order to focus on the three figures, Kuniyoshi has chosen a deep grey background that serves as contrast to the white arrows and the vibrant samurai, only showing hints of the raging battle in the background. As all three men are famously doomed, they all have the blue pallor of warriors who are about to expire. Blood flows from many wounds on each of them. KUY547 Price: $9800
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861), Fight to the Death of the Heroic Samurai of the Kusunoki Clan at Shijo-Nawate 楠家勇士四條縄手にて討死, Japanese color woodblock print triptych. 1851. Each sheet 37.9 x 26 cm.
The last stand of the Kusunoki Clan at Shijo-nawate in 1348. Three warriors keep fighting against impossible odds and a hail of arrows. Wada Shinboshi (Genshu) leads the counterattack at right. He brandishes two severed heads to shield his own face against the incoming onslaught of arrows, still moving forward, his weapon in his right hand. In the middle sheet is Masatomo, who holds a lowered battle standard as another improvised shield. To the left is Kusunoki Matsutsura, who crouches between a fallen horse and some planks of wood that he has used as cover, hoisting in front of him the body of an expired samurai as a shield. In order to focus on the three figures, Kuniyoshi has chosen a deep grey background that serves as contrast to the white arrows and the vibrant samurai, only showing hints of the raging battle in the background. As all three men are famously doomed, they all have the blue pallor of warriors who are about to expire. Blood flows from many wounds on each of them. KUY547 Price: $9800

Naitô Shuri Masatoyo (内藤修理昌豊) is shown in battle, grasping the shaft of his naginata, wielding it against an unseen enemy. The detailed depiction of Masatoyo’s helmet and armor are exceptional. His helmet bears an elaborate maedate sculpture of Raijin, the god of thunder and his amassed clouds. Kuniyoshi did few series involving close-up portraits of samurai like this, so we can enjoy the intensity shown in the expression and the beauty of the samurai regalia. Masatoyo’s eyes have been printed with concentric grey circles within the dark pupils and blue color in the corner of the eyes for extra intensity. In the background we see outlines of troops amassed for battle along the opposite bank of a stream, while actual battle has commenced between the shadow figures on the middle distance. This series concerns the 16th century battles between the forces of the famous enemy warlords Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin in Shinano Province. This warrior was on the side of Takeda Shingen. A scarce design. KUY572 Price: $3200
Naitô Shuri Masatoyo (内藤修理昌豊) is shown in battle, grasping the shaft of his naginata, wielding it against an unseen enemy. The detailed depiction of Masatoyo’s helmet and armor are exceptional. His helmet bears an elaborate maedate sculpture of Raijin, the god of thunder and his amassed clouds. Kuniyoshi did few series involving close-up portraits of samurai like this, so we can enjoy the intensity shown in the expression and the beauty of the samurai regalia. Masatoyo’s eyes have been printed with concentric grey circles within the dark pupils and blue color in the corner of the eyes for extra intensity. In the background we see outlines of troops amassed for battle along the opposite bank of a stream, while actual battle has commenced between the shadow figures on the middle distance. This series concerns the 16th century battles between the forces of the famous enemy warlords Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin in Shinano Province. This warrior was on the side of Takeda Shingen. A scarce design. KUY572 Price: $3200
Prints and Drawings by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861),
Master of Graphic Storytelling
Utagawa Kuniyoshi, best known for his warrior prints, was a creative wellspring who designed works of graphic impact in every ukiyo-e genre. The graphic power of Kuniyoshi forms the DNA of modern Japanese manga, and he could elucidate the crux of an entire story in a single scene. Our exhibition also includes a number of unique preparatory ink drawings by Kuniyoshi, all with stellar provenance. We will of course also be bringing our curated selection of fine 18th-20th century Japanese prints by other ukiyo-e and shin hanga artists for viewing.
This year we will see clients by appointment at our suite at the Conrad New York Midtown, March 18 and 19. Easily book an appointment online on our website beginning February 20. Works from the exhibition will also be available for purchase online at egenolfgallery.com.