Yoshitoshi: Yoshitsune learning fighting from the Tengu King Diptych

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)
Title: Yoshitsune Studies the Arts of War on Mt. Kurama 舎那王於鞍馬山学武術之図 Series: Yoshitoshi Manga (Sketches by Yoshitoshi)  Date: 1888

We see the young Yoshitsune on the left balancing lightly on a cherry branch, his sparring stick raised high.  It is being held by the mythical Tengu King, Dai Sôjôbô, as the cherry blossoms fall all around. The full moon rises behind the young warrior against a sky with many areas of bokashi. The cave lair of the Tengu King is appropriately  mysterious, with a waterfall flowing through it and incense burning, as well as red fungus growing from the wall. Yoshitoshi has used a Chinese-style ink painting for the walls of the cave, which also features an extra green block as well as a beautiful grey-blue block. Both Yoshitoshi and his teacher Kuniyoshi revisited this scene numerous times, which must have been a favorite theme that also highlighted their genius for storytelling. Yoshitsune (childhood name Ushiwaka) was sent to a monastery in the Kurama mountains by Taira no Kiyomori to dampen his martial spirit. The plan backfires, as Ushiwaka escapes to the mountains every night to train with Sôjôbô.

Dimensions: oban diptych (approx 37.2 x 25 cm each sheet)
Publisher: Kobayashi Tetsujirô
Literature: See Beauty & Violence number 57.7; page 82. See also “Yoshitoshi: Masterpieces from the Ed Freis collection” (2011), pg. 131, number 97. See British Museum website. Seal: Taiso Signature: Yoshitoshi ga

SKU: YOT945