Kuniyoshi: Yoshitsune & His Nineteen Loyal Retainers

Utagawa Kuniyoshi: Yoshitune and His Nineteen Loyal Retainers, c. 1836

Utagawa Kuniyoshi: Yoshitune & His 19 Loyal Retainers, c. 1836

Update 2nd September, 2022: I didn’t end up winning the bid for this particular print, as I was in the air as the auction was closing so I was unable to counter-bid. However, I did win a Toyokuni/Kunisada triptych entitled The Soga Brothers Confront Suketsune, 1860 which I will go into further detail on once I have it in my posession.

I’m currently bidding on this japanese woodblock print. Being one of my hobbies you’re likely to see a lot of these posts in future, as japanese woodblock prints will be one of the key content pillars that makes up the site.

It is called Yoshitune and His Nineteen Loyal Retainers and is a fantastic triptych piece created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi – a master of ukiyo-e woodblocks, who is perhaps best known for his samurai warrior prints. Obtaining this piece would be extra special because it would be my first Kuniyoshi print.

The print showcases great Minamoto leader Yoshitune sailing rough seas with his nineteen loyal retainers – the most important being warrior monk Benkei, standing guard in the prow! This particular print is also housed in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797 – 1861) is considered one of the great masters of the ukiyo-e style of woodblock prints in Japan. He covers a wide range of genres but he is most known for his depictions of battles of legendary samurai heroes.¹

I have two Kuniyoshi prints favourited on a watchlist at the japanese print site I visit – namely:

Takiyashi the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre, c. 1844 – This intimidating triptych features a gigantic skeleton cover 2 full panels of the 3-panel piece. The print depicts Mitsukuni defying the Skeleton Specter invoked by Princess Takiyasha.
Miyamoto Musashi subduing the Giant Whale, c. 1847 – This is one of the most interesting triptychs I’ve seen; this time the whale covers all 3 panels, gliding on a Hokusai-style wave; Riding atop the giant whale is master swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, who is attacking the giant whale off the coast of Higo.

What Kuniyoshi prints are you interested in? Let me know any rocking prints I’ve missed in the comments below…