20th Century Japanese Ukiyo-E Woodblock Print ‘Gojo Bridge’ by Sadanobu III Hasegawa

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Vintage Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock print titled, "Ushiwakamaru Battling on Gojo Bridge" by Sadanobu III Hasegawa (1881-1963). The print depicts Ushiwakamaru … Read more Vintage Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock print titled, "Ushiwakamaru Battling on Gojo Bridge" by Sadanobu III Hasegawa (1881-1963). The print depicts Ushiwakamaru (the youth who would later become the famed warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune) in a dynamic pose during his legendary fight with the warrior monk Benkei on Gojo Bridge. He is shown leaping high, seemingly weightless, to avoid Benkei, with the Gojo Bridge and a pagoda in the background. These characters are beloved heros in Japanese legends and are depicted in numerous kabuki plays and ukiyo-e. The stunning colorful subject Ushiwakamaru stands out against the black and white background with intricate detail and pattern. Sadanobu Hasegawa III worked to adopt the art of Japanese printmaking to the 20th century. Most of his work was commissioned by the Uchida company in Kyoto, one of the largest publishers of woodblock prints in Japan at the time. I purchased this in Kyoto in January 1991 and had it professionally matted and framed around that time. Great piece, ready for a new home.

Image measures about 10.25” w x 15.75” h.
Overall framed measurements are 17.75” w x 21.75” h. See less