Kiyochika: Major General Odera on Horseback in Snowstorm

Artist: Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915)
Title: Major General Ôdera Fighting Bravely at the Hundred Foot Cliff near Weihaiwei (Ikaiei hyakuseki gaisho ni Ôdera shôshô funsen su).
Date: 1895

Major General Ôdera Fighting Bravely at the Hundred Foot Cliff near Weihaiwei (Ikaiei hyakuseki gaisho ni Ôdera shôshô funsen su). We see the Japanese general astride his rearing horse, sword drawn as he leads an advance of mounted men. In front are men pushing forward with mounted cannons. The printing of the general’s horse as it disappears into the smoke is a testament to the craft of the carvers and printers. The explosions have been beautifully printed, and the snow comes down in gusts that have been printed with gofun. That Kiyochika could create such a militaristic scene with such attention to beauty was an incongruity that defined many of his depictions of this war.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Untrimmed and unbacked.
Dimensions: ôban triptych (37.5 x 75 cm)
Literature: Swinton, In Battle's Light (Worcester, 1991), #19; Asai, Kinsei nishiki-e sesôshi 8 (1936), pp. 14-5. See MFA online.
Signature: Kiyochika

SKU: KYC445