depictions; men (male humans); women; kimonos; trees; riverbanks; birds (animals)
In the moment before Umegae's death, a cuckoo catches Dainin's attention and perhaps causes him to reflect upon the transience of life. The budding plum tree and the plum flower pattern in Umegae's kimono refer to her name and possible rebirth...
The medieval warrior Mori Rikimaru stands with his bloodied spear and two severed heads slung around his neck as trophies. On May 15, 1868 two thousand troops loyal to the shogunate fought a desperate battle at Ueno, in Edo, near the tombs of some...
Oto no Miya (1308-1335), also known as Prince Morinaga, was the son of Emperor Godaigo who had been forced into exile in 1331. Morinaga led an army against the military dictatorship in an attempt to restore the monarchy. Yoshitoshi uses an...
Obata Sukerokuro Nobuyo was a brave, young, faithful retainer of Ishida. Ishida was defeated in war, and Nobuyo spied among his enemies to discover the fate of his master, Ishida. Nobuyo was captured by the enemy, but was released because of his...
warriors; battles; men (male humans); swords; armor (protective wear); rosaries
Shima Sakon Tomoyuki was once one of the principal kerai ('vassals') of Tsutsui Junkei (1549-84), later became a retainer of Ishida no Mitsunari (1560-1600), the most important figure on Toyotomi Hideyori's staff who fought against Tokugawa Ieyasu...
Ota Dokan approached an inn on a rainy day to request the loan of a rain coat. Instead, the maid brought him a Yamabuki flower on a tray. Her meaning was expressed by the poem "Although having many petals the Yamabuki, to our regret, has no seed."...
Narrative; trees; flower (plant material); kimonos; religious symbolism; knives; cuckoos and allies
In the moment before Umegae's death, a cuckoo catches Dainin's attention and perhaps causes him to reflect upon the transience of life. The budding plum tree and the plum flower pattern in Umegae's kimono refer to her name and possible rebirth...
men (male humans); kimonos; edged weapons; clothing; interior spaces; hearth
In this imaginary duel the swordsman Musashi, who was noted for his use of bokutÅ (wooden swords) in duels, attacks the kensei (sword saint) Tsukahara Bokuden (1489-1571), founder of the mutekatsu-ryu school of fighting ("without hands" or...
history paintings; spears (weapons); executions (events)
The label on verso reads: "He entered into enemy castle as a spy, but was captured and crucified but continued to defend his master and spoke against his enemies til his last breath." - artist Nonin Ikkisai. In 1575 Horii Tsuneemon, a retainer of...
