Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese, 1798-1861). Japanese Edo period ukiyo-e woodblock print triptych titled "Nanke yushi Shijo-Nawate nite uchijini (The Last Stand of the Kusunoki Heroes at Shijo-Nawate)," depicting the final stand of three Kusunoki heroes in the 1348 battle of Shijo-Nawate. The woodblock print is affixed to the backing board. Label from M. Nakazawa, Opp. Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Japan affixed along the verso of the backing board. Published by Fujiokaya Keijiro. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga, circa 1851, and artist's Yoshi Kiri seal. Kuniyoshi drew his inspiration for this print from the Taiheiki (Chronicle of the Great Peace) which tells of the Shijo-Nawate battle where the Southern Court attempted to overthrow the Northern Court. Depicted are three brothers of the Kusunoki clan, Wadu Genshu taking the lead, Wada Shinbei Masatomo following close behind, and Kusunoki Masatsura bringing up the rear. The horrors of war are grossly portrayed in this print, showing the warriors using human bodies as shields as they press on against a flood of arrows, fighting until the brutal end even though they were greatly outnumbered. Height: 18 in x width: 30 1/8 in.

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