Yoshikazu 芳員: Yorimitsu and his Retainers Transfixed by Battle Between Giant Serpent and Bear (RESERVED)

Artist: Utagawa Yoshikazu (active 1848-1870)
Title: Picture of Yorimitsu Watching a Monster in a Mountain Wilderness (Yorimitsu sanchû yôkai o miru zu 頼光山中妖怪見る図)  Date: ca. 1847-1852

Minamoto no Yorimitsu (Raiko) and his retainers are stopped short as they spy a battle between a giant snake and an enormous bear-like creature, the bear forcing open the toothed jaws of the serpent. Magical (fatal?) flames emit from the serpent and blood drips from its jaws.

This triptych depicts the scene of Minamoto-no-Yorimitsu 源頼光 and Shitenn’nô 四天王, The Four Heavenly Kings, namely his four brave retainers, watching the fight of a monster snake, which is entwined around a tall tree on the opposite side of a ravine, against a bear. Yorimitsu stands high on the rocky mountain; just below him is  Watanabe no Tsuna 渡辺綱 in front, with a long bow; Sakata Kintoki 坂田金時 behind him also with a long bow; Urabe -no-Suketake ト部秀武 closely behind him in pale blue sleeveless jacket. Usui Sadamitsu 臼井貞光 stands to the left of Yorimitsu. The expression of “Four Heavenly Kings" (Shitenno) refers to the four guardians of the Buddhist law.

This scene depicts not the usual story of Yorimitsu and the Shiten‘nô slaying the monster, but instead shows the trick of the notorious bandit Hakama-dare Yasusuke 袴垂保輔, who attempts to steal their belongings while they are transfixed by the dramatic fight. This subject was popular at that time.

With the action on the rightmost and leftmost sheets showing Yorimitsu and his retainers against the monster‘s fight, they are separated by a deep gorge with steep cliffs and a spooky-looking mountain peak in the distance.  The dramatic scenery indicates that they are immersed in a remote, untamed wilderness, the wet rocks (in blue) suggest the cool dampness of the air. Colorful maple leaves in orange and yellow contrast with the dark forest and rocky background.

It was the time of mid-Heian Period (Heian Period 794-1185) when the protagonists of this print were active, serving  the Imperial Palace in Heian (Kyoto). It was the time the Imperial House was the nominal head of the country and the Fujiwara Clan had the actual power. Professional warriors were forming and rising slowly around the members of the court aristocracy, connecting to the Imperial Court, which did not possess its own army, so the local power holders became the primary source of the military. Among them the Fujiwara, Taira, and Minamoto Clans were  the most prestigious families, all of whom had descended from the Imperial families, claiming the control over the vast tracts of conquered land.

Minamoto no Yorimitsu (or Raiko) (948-1021) served the regents of the Fujiwara Clan and was one of the earliest historical figures for the military exploits; he was also known for quelling the bandits of Mt. Óe and other monstrous creatures which troubled the people.

(With thanks to Ms. Michiko Sato-Grube for her scholarship and translation here.)   

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Some edges have minor trimming. Dimensions: ôban triptych (approx. 36.5 x 25 cm each sheet)

Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke　辻岡屋文助

Signature: Ichijusai Yoshikazu ga 一寿斎芳員

SKU: YKZ025