Antique Utagawa Kuniyoshi Triptych Tameshi Strong Bow Rare Warrior Print Japanese Woodblock

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Description

An original 19th-century Japanese woodblock triptych by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861), one of the most celebrated masters of the warrior print … Read more An original 19th-century Japanese woodblock triptych by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861), one of the most celebrated masters of the warrior print (musha-e). The composition shows Minamoto no Tameshi drawing his great bow with spectacular force, flanked by retainers in full armor - a classic Kuniyoshi display of heroic strength and dramatic design.

Each sheet measures approximately 37.4 x 25 cm. The complete three-sheet set retains its original hand-printed pigments, with the paper showing honest age: soiling and wear consistent with long-term storage, and small holes that may be hard to see in photographs. The exact date of this impression was not documented by the previous owner; like most Kuniyoshi warrior triptychs it belongs to the Edo period.

A powerful, museum-worthy warrior composition from the golden age of Japanese woodblock printing, ideal for the collector of samurai imagery.

Details
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861)
Date: Edo period, 19th century (exact year undocumented)
Medium: Original Japanese woodblock print (nishiki-e)
Format: Oban triptych (three sheets)
Subject: Minamoto no Tameshi drawing his great bow, with retainers
Sheet size: approx. 37.4 x 25 cm each (approx. 14.7 x 9.8 in)
Origin: Japan
Condition: Used. Age-related soiling and wear; small holes may be present and difficult to see in photographs. See less