Utagawa Sadahide (1807-1873 o. 1878/79)
A large landscape panorama: The giant fleet of Toyotomi Hideyoshi gathering (in 1592) at the coast of Kyûshû, preparing to leave for the conquest of Korea. Hideyoshi's ship is recognizable by the large Kiri crest on the sail (second sheet from right).
Title 1 (top right): 太平三韓出船(の)圖 - Taihei Samhan shussen no zu (the ships calmly sailing to the three countries i.e. Korea)
Title 2: (top left): 太平記朝鮮征伐行軍 (の) 圖 - Taiheiki Chôsen seibatsu kôgun (gyôgun) (no) zu (Chronicle of the Great Peace, on the March to conquer Korea)
Signature: Gountei Sadahide ga
Publisher: Yamaguchi-ya Tôbei (Kinkôdô), Edo
Censor/Date: Aratame, 8th month 1864
Size: Ôban pentaptych, approx. 37 x 127 cm (overall size)
Excellent impression and colours, with visible woodgrain. Five separate sheets, unbacked and untrimmed. few minor defects (a tiny wormhole, minimal soiling and small stains, minor creases). Excellent overall condition.
Very rare landscape panorama by Sadahide. Missing the sixth sheet on the left. Not in the catalogue “Yokohama ukiyoe to sora tobu eshi Gountei Sadahide”, Yokohama 1997, likely the most comprehensive catalogue on this artist so far.
Sadahide was one of the best students of Kunisada. Besides for his Yokohama-e (depictions of the first foreigners in Japan after the opening of the country) he was especially famous for his detailed landscape views in the panorama format, often with samurai processions and historical warrior scenes, as seen here.
sold