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All auctions / Ancient Art / Saito Toshimitsu - Biographies of the Heroes of the...
** Widely considered the best design of the series and the most sought after. The bokashi gradations (color shading) showcase the exceptional craftsmanship of Edo-period artisans. These underwater battle scenes are particularly sought after, as the delicate bokashi transitions typically fade faster than the base pigments — finding a print in this condition makes it especially valuable ** Artist: Utagawa Yoshiiku (1833–1904) Title: Saito Izu no Kami Toshimitsu (斎藤伊豆守利三) Series: Taiheiki Eiyūden – Biographies of the Heroes of the Taiheiki - 太平記英勇伝 Date: Japan, 1867 (late Edo period) Publisher: Hirookaya Kōsuke (Kikujudō) Format: Chūban, approx. 24 × 18 cm CONDITION Excellently preserved. All colors retain their original vibrancy. The bokashi is very well preserved. The paper is very well perserved with no flows to mention. A museum-quality impression! THE SCENE Saito Toshimitsu (1534–1582) was a prominent samurai of the Sengoku period and commander of Kuroi Castle. As a loyal retainer of Akechi Mitsuhide, he played a crucial role in one of the most dramatic events in Japanese history—the Honnō-ji Incident of 1582, in which Oda Nobunaga was betrayed and killed. This dynamic underwater scene depicts Toshimitsu in full samurai armor, battling an enemy with supernatural strength. The swirling blue ribbons of water and the detailed rendering of the armor demonstrate the technical mastery of the artist Yoshiiku. About the Taiheiki Heroes Series: This series ranks among the most technically demanding chūban prints of the Edo period. Each print required over eight different woodblocks with precise registration and elaborate bokashi techniques. But these are not merely visually complex works of art—many of these prints hold genuine historical significance. It's like collecting pieces of a puzzle of Japanese history! The texts on the reverse and the characters depicted offer insights into one of Japan's most turbulent eras. With 100 prints in the complete series, collecting them is a true pleasure—each print tells the story of a different hero.
Estimate:$168.01
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Estimate:
$168.01
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