UTAGAWA KUNIYOSHI (1797/98-1861), a Japanese coloured woodblock print, triptych, 19th century.
The Great Battle between Kai Province and Echigo Province at Kawanakajima. Image size 35 x 73 cm.
Wear. Not examined out of frame. Faded. DIscolorations.
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The battles on the plain of Kawanakajima took place between Takeda Shingen (1521-1573) of Kai Province and Uesugi Kenshin (1530-1578) of Echigo Province, in the north of Shinano Province (modern Nagano Prefecture). Five major battles were fought from 1553 to 1564. The only significant outcome of the war was that Shingen gained control of Kawanakajima. Kuniyoshi showcases a dramatic moment, contrasting a backdrop of monochrome flames with the dynamic foreground scene. The warriors on horseback are arrested in place, and Kuniyoshi uses the European technique of chiaroscuro, which is reminiscent of imported engravings depicting European medieval stories.