Enrōsai Shigemitsu

JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT

1848
Woodblock print on paper, 73 × 36 cm. Japan, Edo period. Impressive battle triptych nishiki-e, depicting the famous naval Battle of Yashima (1185), fought between the Taira and Minamoto clans (this civil war at the end of the Heian period is also known as the “Genpei War”). The central scene of the print shows the young legendary archer Nasu no Yoichi (1169–1232) of the victorious Minamoto clan, who, riding his steed amidst the waves, aims his arrow at an enemy Taira ship and, thanks to his marksmanship, strikes the fan held by a lady about 70 m from the shore. This episode was first described in a 14th-century work (Heike monogatari) and became a legendary story in various forms of Japanese art. It is also worth mentioning that Nasu no Yoichi (also known as Nasu Munetaka) became a Buddhist monk at the end of his life and abbot of a Buddhist monastery. Good condition.