Description
In the tenth month of 1185, the future shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo (源頼朝) ordered an attack against his younger brother Minamoto no Yoshitsune (源義経), then residing at the Horikawa (堀川) palace in Kyoto and that we see at the center of this triptych while intent on shooting arrows at the attackers. On the left his concubine Shizuka Gozen (静御前), one of the most famous women in Japanese history and literature. On the right are fighting four famous warriors, from left to right: Eda Genzo (江田源三), Kisanta (喜三太), Saito Musashibo Benkei (西塔武蔵坊弁慶) and Tosanobo Shoshun (土佐坊昌俊).
The work, by the artist Utagawa Toyonobu (歌川豊宣), is entitled “Night Attack at Horikawa” (堀川夜討), is taken from the series “Unofficial History of Japan” (日本外史之内) and was printed in 1884 by the publisher Hatano Tsunesada (波多野常定).
The prints show very evident signs of aging, paper wrinkles and restorations, but keep their extraordinary visual impact intact.
