Previous   Next
Home » Images » 0059 Pictures From History » CPA0029308

Japan: The revenge of the ghosts of the Taira warriors, who are silhouetted against a dark sky, attacking Minamoto no Yoshitsune's ship. Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861), c. 1850

Japan: The revenge of the ghosts of the Taira warriors, who are silhouetted against a dark sky, attacking Minamoto no Yoshitsune's ship. Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861), c. 1850

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (January 1, 1798 - April 14, 1861) was one of the last great masters of the Japanese ukiyo-e style of woodblock prints and painting. He is associated with the Utagawa school.

The range of Kuniyoshi's preferred subjects included many genres: landscapes, beautiful women, Kabuki actors, cats, and mythical animals. He is known for depictions of the battles of samurai and legendary heroes. His artwork was affected by Western influences in landscape painting and caricature.

Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159-1189) was a general of the Minamoto clan of Japan in the late Heian and early Kamakura period. Yoshitsune was the ninth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, and the third and final son and child that Yoshitomo would father with Tokiwa Gozen. Yoshitsune's older brother Minamoto no Yoritomo (the third son of Yoshitomo) founded the Kamakura shogunate. He is considered one of the greatest and the most popular warriors of his era, and one of the most famous samurai fighters in the history of Japan.

Quick links to other images in this gallery: