Masakiyo’s Challenging Battle, from Taiheiki (Chronicle of great peace)

10th month of 1866

Not on view

This triptych pictures warriors caught up in an explosion. Cartouches identify them as Satō Masakiyo, on horseback at far right, and Shimura Masazō Katsutoyo, tossed upside down at left—both characters from the early medieval epic Taiheiki (Chronicle of great peace). In fact, these men are the historical figures Katō Kiyomasa (1562–1611) and Kimura Shigenari (1593–1615), allies of the leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598). The artist assigned them aliases to avoid censorship laws banning images of samurai who lived after end of the medieval period.

Artwork Details

月岡芳年画　「太平記正清難戦之図」
Title: Masakiyo’s Challenging Battle, from Taiheiki (Chronicle of great peace)
Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (Japanese, 1839–1892)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 10th month of 1866
Culture: Japan
Medium: Triptych of woodblock prints (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions: Overall (a): 14 3/8 x 10 in. (36.5 x 25.4 cm)
Overall (b): 14 3/8 x 9 7/8 in. (36.5 x 25.1 cm)
Overall (c): 14 9/16 x 10 in. (37 x 25.4 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2005
Object Number: 2005.351a–c
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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