Toyonobu Utagawa, Lord Ashikaga Yoshiaki, Warriors
Artist: Toyonobu Utagawa (1859-1896)
Title: Young Lord Ashikaga Yoshiaki escaping from assassination
Series: The New Biography of Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi
Date: 1883
Dimensions: (L) 23.7 x 35.8 cm (R) 23.3 x 35.7 cm
Original Japanese woodblock print.
This diptych is part of Toyonobu's famous series 'Shinsen Taikoki', 'New selection of the biography of the Taiko (Hideyoshi Toyotomi)'. This series tells us the story of the ascension of Hideyoshi Toyotomi and his famous vassals.
Shown here is Ashikaga Yoshiaki (1537-1597), the 15th and last, of the Ashikaga Shoguns. Yoshiaki is shown here fleeing Kyoto on the back of his protector after his brother, the 13th Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru (1536-1565), was killed. He became a monk, biding his time before allying with Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) in order to claim his position of Shogun. He was later overthrown by Nobunaga when he refused to be a puppet ruler opening the way for the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Toyonobu Utagawa
Toyonobu was one of the last heirs of the tradition of the Utagawa School. He was the grandson of Kunisada and the son of Kunihisa. His prints centre around the theme of warriors. One of his most successful series is ‘New Selection of the Biography of the Taiko’ (Hideyoshi Toyotomi). This series tell us the story of the ascension of Hideyoshi Toyotomi and his famous vassals.
| Print Format | Diptych |
|---|---|
| Artist | Toyonobu Utagawa |
| Subject | Samurai & Male |
| Dimensions | (L) 23.7 x 35.8 cm (R) 23.3 x 35.7 cm |
| Condition Report | Wear on the margins. Light pink stains. |
| Series | Newly selected history of Toyotomi Hideyoshi |
