Yoshitoshi: Yamamoto Kansuke Doki (Sold)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Title: Yamamoto Kansuke Doki
Series: “Kawanakajima san uchijini” (Three Legendary Deaths in the Battle at Kawanakajima).
Date: 1867

Yamamoto Kansoke Dôki, from the series “Kawanakajima san uchijini” (Three Legendary Deaths in the Battle at Kawanakajima). A fascinating design, with a number of interesting elements. First would be the stony peak rising in the distance at left, which seems transplanted from a Kiyochika print (which would have been done 10 years later) due to the strong influence of western engraving. At the print’s highest point, leaning on a naginata and covered in blood, is Yamamoto Dôki, who served Takeda Shingen in the 16th century. According to legend he was blind in one eye and lame, which is perhaps why he leans on his naginata here. Kuniyoshi designed several portraits of this general, and in those he is always glaring and covered and blood and has a severed head at hand. Moving on to the rightmost sheet of this triptych, we see the fierce visage of a standard bearer moving towards the fight, and in front of him a wounded comrade with bloodied hands so damaged that his compatriot must hold the water ladle for him to be able to take a drink. The soldier offering the water has an expression of soft concern, touching amidst the gore of this scene.

Condition: Excellent impression and color; very good condition. Folds at 1 cm from left of each sheet and areas of paper thinning on central sheet.
Dimensions: Triptych
Literature: Keyes 204.2$.
Signature: Ikkeisai Yoshitoshi hitsu

SKU: YOT687