Original Yoshiyuki (active circa 1848 - 1864) Japanese Woodblock print
Minamoto no Yoshitsune Defeats the Ezo, 1847 - 1852

Comments - Fantastic triptych depicting Minamoto no Yoshitsune in his flagship off the rocky shore of Ezo. Historically, Ezo was the name given to the lands north of Japan and the peoples who lived their. According to legend, Yoshitsune made a mythical voyage to these northern islands and had many adventures there. Here, his elegant ship approaches an island, with Yoshitsune sitting under a black lacquer canopy topped with a golden yellow phoenix. He wears armor and a horned battle helmet, and holds a folding fan. His loyal warrior monk Benkei sits in front of him, a monk's white cowl wrapped around his neck, while a retainer stands in the prow shielding his eyes as he watches the enemy. The foreign warriors are dressed in exotic costumes, gathered at the base of a magnificent fortress. White-capped waves crash against the bow and two other Minamoto ships can be seen in the center in the distance. Beautifully detailed and colored with soft shading in the sky as a rosy glow spreads along the horizon. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has this image in its collection. A terrific image from the life of this notable samurai.
Artist - Yoshiyuki (active circa 1848 - 1864)