Sadahide Utagawa, Gen-Pei, the Battle of Dannoura
Artist: Sadahide Utagawa (1807-1873)
Title: Gen-Pei, the Battle of Dannoura
Publisher: Nishimuraya Yohachi
Date: 1847-1852
Size: (L) 36.5 x 24.8, (C) 36.3 x 24.8cm, (R) 36.4 x 25cm
絵師: 歌川貞秀
題名: 源平壇浦大合戦図
年代: 弘化―嘉永期
Original Japanese woodblock print.
During the Edo period, evoking the gallant wars of the samurai from times past was encouraged by the Tokugawa Shogunate and was a dominant theme across painting and print, with its primary source of subject matter taken from the Genpei or Heike Monogatari, which chronicled the Genpei civil war (1180 - 1185). These stories of Genpei were originally written to appease the souls of the defeated warriors and to remind audiences that all warriors, whether they are victorious or in defeat, are upheld by honourable military code.
The Taira clan were finally defeated after the battle of Dan-no-ura. Sadahide Utagawa’s (1807-1873) triptych of this naval battle is as every part as visceral as Kuniyoshi’s iconic style. In a clash of weapons and waves, Sadahide’s triptych conveys that this battle is the final showdown between the two clans. By this time, the Minamoto outnumbered the Taira three times over. Despite the impending defeat, the Taira fought bravely until the end. None of the warriors shown in this print are turning away from their enemy, proving the essence of the Heike Monogatari. Regardless of allegiance, no matter your prospects, every warrior is embraced by a noble samurai code.
Sadahide Utagawa
Sadahide was a prolific but minor woodblock printmaker and illustrator. His style was born out of the Utagawa school in which he studied, his early works centring around Bijin-ga, beauty portraits and later producing ukiyo-e prints in the landscape and musha-e genres. However, he is most well-known for his Yokohama-e; scenes of modern industry and foreigners in Yokohama. Sadahide produced not just print, but guidebooks to Yokohama, teaching the habits of foreign residents hoping to dispel myths about them, and also show the Japanese people what can learn from Western customs.
Throughout his work, Sadahide’s effective and decorative prints show the influence of Western perspective and chiaroscuro. He was chosen as one ukiyo-e artist in the Tokugawa Shogun’s delegation to the 1867 Paris exhibition, giving him the chance to be shown internationally in a period where he was a best-selling artist in Japan.
Print Format | Triptych |
---|---|
Artist | Sadahide Utagawa |
Subject | Samurai & Male |
Dimensions | (L) 36.5 x 24.8, (C) 36.3 x 24.8cm, (R) 36.4 x 25cm |
Condition Report | Light edge wear, restoration on top left panel (paper backing), binding holes, minor paper thinning. |