THE LOYAL RETAINER MITSUTADA (Utagawa Yoshitora)

N.1 ukiyo-e woodblock print
Period: 1847-52
Condition: good
Size: 25 x 35,5 cm

SOLD

Description

Original woodblock print of vertical large oban (大判) format made in a period between 1847 and 1852 by the artist Utagawa Yoshitora (歌川芳虎). The work is entitled “Figure of Chiba Saburobei Mitsutada” (千葉三郎兵衛満忠像) and is taken from the series “The Forty-seven Loyal Retainers” (義士四拾七人之内), produced by the publisher Izumiya Ichibei (和泉屋市兵衛), owner of Kansendo (甘泉堂).

Mitsutada was a faithful samurai of Asano Naganori (浅野長矩). Master archer of the Heki school (日置流), after the death of his lord he was a staunch supporter of the need to pursue revenge. The night of the assault on the residence of Kira Yoshinaka (吉良義央) he fought vigorously, killing three enemies.

The print on Japanese washi paper (和紙), despite the right signs of aging and in particular some imperfections in the corners, is in overall good condition.