Yoshitoshi 芳年: Uesugi Kenshin Riding into Battle (SOLD)

Uesugi Kenshin Nyudo Terutora. Fantastic portrait of Kenshin, seen riding nobly into battle on horseback, surrounded by billowing  plumes of smoke. Kenshin’s face is seen in profile,  accentuated by a white cloth executed in Yoshitoshi’s inimitable style, his steed valiant and unafraid. Kenshin (1530-78) is best known as the opponent of Takeda Shingen, whom he fought against in battles for seventeen years over the possession of Shinano province. According to legend, the long conflict between them was fought in a courteous and chivalrous manner, and when Kenshin heard of Shingen’s death in 1573, he was reported to have said “I have lost my good enemy and have now no one to compete with on equal terms”. The best design in the series, in mint condition, finer than the MIA example.