Toyohara (Yôshû) CHIKANOBU
(Japan 1838–1912)
- Title
- (Loyal retainer Tadanobu), from the series The vicissitudes of the Minamoto and Taira clans
- Alternative title:
- Genpei seisui ki: Jû-san
- Place of origin
-
Japan
- Period
- Meiji period 1868 - 1912 → Japan
- Year
- 1885
- Media category
- Materials used
- colour woodcut
- Dimensions
-
Oban tate-e: 35.2 x 24.3cm image; 37.1 x 25.3cm sheet
- Signature & date
- Signed l.r., in Japanese, ink [incised on block] "Yôshû Chikanobu hitsû [and artist's seal]". Not dated.
- Credit
- Gift of Dr Roderick Bain 1997
- Accession number
- 159.1997
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
Produced in the mid to late 19th century, the period often referred to as the 'decadent' period of ukiyo-e; the subject matter reflect the feeling of unrest in Japan when the Shogunate Government was losing its grip on the rising powers of merchants & progressive regions. The subtlety of the pleasure seeking 'floating world' of earlier times gave way to depictions of emotional drama or violence taken from historical battles, stories of heroic deeds & the kabuki theatre.
Text inscription in work: 'Satô Shirô Hyôe Tadanobu put on (his master Yoshitsune's) sword and armour, and took on the scores of approaching temple soldiers of Yoshino. He ran up the five-story pagoda and jumped off at the back of the pagoda. One Rokusen of Yokokawa, a soldier monk reknowned for his strength, also jumped off and chased him. Tadanobu fought Rokusen, killed him, then followed his master to the Capital.'
- Bibliography (1)
-
AJIOKA Chiaki (Japan) (Curator), Heroes and villains: from Japan's floating world, Sydney, May 2001, 6 (colour illus.). cat.no. 1.6
- Exhibition history (1)
-
Heroes and Villains, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 19 May 2001–19 Aug 2001.
