Utagawa Kuniyoshi: Minamoto no Yorimitsu & Shutendoji
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Description
This famous triptych by Kuniyoshi depicts the legend of Shuten-doji and Minamoto no Yorimitsu. In the countryside near Kyoto there lived a terrible oni named Shuten-doji. It was said that Shuten-doji robbed and ate all men who ventured into his realm. Besides, every night he would leave his home on Mount Oe and fall upon the city of Kyoto, where he kidnapped young women and carried them back to his mountain lair. Tired of the oni’s tyranny, the emperor decided to call Minamoto no Yorimitsu (known as Raiko), his bravest warrior, and charge him with the task of killing Shuten-doji. Raiko and four other warriors travelled then to Mount Oe disguised as Buddhist monks. When they reached the mountain, there was no sign of Shuten-doji or his henchmen, but after climbing steadily for several hours, they met a woman, washing bloody garments in a river. The woman was a servant of Shuten-doji and she warned the travelers to turn back, but when they refused, she agreed to show them the path to Shuten-doji's cave. When they arrived there they found many oni guards at the entrance. Raiko begged them to let him and his companions take refuge into the cave, as they were just lost, hungry travelers. They then offered Shuten-doji a bottle of enchanted sake as a gift. Shuten-doji ordered a feast of human flesh to be prepared for his guests, who had to eat it all not to arouse suspicion .They then waited until the oni finished the enchanted sake and fell, one by one, into a drunken stupor. When all the oni were sleeping, Raikô and his warriors attacked Shuten-doji , stabbing him with their spears. Shuten-doji fought furiously, but eventually Raiko managed to severe his head. Together with his warriors he then killed the other oni and set free the young women that had been kidnapped.
Utagawa Kuniyoshi was a Japanese painter and print designer considered one of the last great masters of the ukiyo-e style during the 19th century. The genres of his work ranged from landscapes to Kabuki actors and more, and he often incorporated aspects of Western representation in his designs. The term ukiyo-e translates to "pictures of the floating world" and refers to a genre of Japanese art with a wide span of imagery such as kabuki actors, folk tales, landscapes, and even erotica. This movement was critical in forming the Western perception of Japanese art.
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Condition
Very good; minor restorations
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Utagawa Kuniyoshi: Minamoto no Yorimitsu & Shutendoji
Estimate $4,000 - $6,000
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