Pair Antique Japanese Woodblock Prints, Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Depicting Soga. Prints measure 14 x 9.75 inches, frames measure 17.25 x 13.25 inches.Original Historic Soga Brother Warrior Print!This stunning original print is by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, (Japanese, 1797-1861), one of the great Japanese ukiyo-e artists active in the final years of the Tokugawa shogunate. He is best known for his warrior prints such as this one.The subject is the Soga brother Juro. Juro was one of the two legendary brothers. The tale of the Two Soga Brothers is a sad and violent one. In 12th century feudal Japan, as the story goes, two rival lords fell out. One lord, Lord Kuto, killed the other, Lord Ito. Lord Ito left two infant boys, Juro and Goro. After their father's death, their mother remarried and the boys took their stepfather's name, Soga. At the young age of five they vowed to avenge their father's death when they became adults. In 1192 they had their chance. They ambushed Lord Kuto, their father's murder, slaying him in his tent while he was away from his castle hunting. However, Lord Kuto's retainers immediately fell upon them, killing Juro and capturing Goro. Despite the justice of his case, the Shogun ordered Goro to be executed as well.CONDITION: Antique print. Excellent detail and striking color. Thinning. Some age spotting and soiling. Some rubbing. Some creasing and a few tiny holes well repaired on verso. Age toned as shown. Please take a moment to examine the scans carefully.

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