The Fourth Battle at Kawanakajima

ca. 1847–52

Not on view

In the mid-1500s, during a period of widespread civil strife known as the Warring States Period, two of Japan’s most famous warlords fought a series of battles in and around Kawanakajima (near the modern city of Nagano) that led to the deaths of more than seven thousand troops. In this triptych depicting the fourth of these encounters, Uesugi Kenshin (1530–1578) and Takeda Shingen (1521–1573) face off on horseback in the lower left foreground while their troops fight aboard rafts in the background. Like his better-known teacher Kuniyoshi, Yoshitsuna specialized in the design of battle and warrior prints.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

歌川芳綱画「西条山引返之図」
Title: The Fourth Battle at Kawanakajima
Artist: Utagawa Yoshitsuna (Japanese, active ca. 1850–1860)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: ca. 1847–52
Culture: Japan
Medium: Triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 13 15/16 × 9 7/8 in. (35.4 × 25.1 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Gift of Harold de Raasloff, 1918
Object Number: JP1115.7a–c
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Utagawa Yoshitsuna

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Shōtoku Taishi Destroying Mononobe no Moriya, Utagawa Kuniyoshi Japanese, Triptych of woodblock prints (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan — Shōtoku Taishi Destroying Mononobe no Moriya
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
1852

Ghosts of the Taira at Daimotsu Bay, Utagawa Kuniyoshi Japanese, Triptych of woodblock prints (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan — Ghosts of the Taira at Daimotsu Bay
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
1849–52

Battle of Awazugahara, Utagawa Kunisada Japanese, Triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, Japan — Battle of Awazugahara
Utagawa Kunisada
mid-19th century

The Wada Rebellion: Yoshihide Breaks Down the Great Gate, Utagawa Kuniyoshi Japanese, Triptych of woodblock prints (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan — The Wada Rebellion: Yoshihide Breaks Down the Great Gate
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
19th century

Changban Bridge, from Records of the Three Kingdoms, Utagawa Kuniyoshi Japanese, Triptych of woodblock prints (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan — Changban Bridge, from Records of the Three Kingdoms
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
1852

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.