Kunisada: Yoshitsune and the Tengu king
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Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) (1786-1865)

According to legend, the young Minamoto no Yoshitsune (his childhood name being Ushiwakamaru) learned the martial arts from Sôjôbô, the mythical old king of the winged tengus on Mt. Kurama, north of Kyoto. In this nocturnal scene, Ushiwakamaru balances on the outstretched muscular arm of the Tengu king, who is dressed as a yamabushi, a mountain warrior-monk.

Title: Ushiwakamaru

Series: Honchô kômei (o. kômyô) kagami (A Mirror of Great People of our Country)

Signature: Kôchô Kunisada ga

Engraver: Horikô Suzuki Ei (Suzuki Eijirô)

Publisher: Jôshûya Kinzô (Jôkin), Edo

Censorship: Kiwame

Date: C. 1835

Size:Vertical Ôban, 37,4 x 26 cm (overall)

Excellent impression, very good colours. Full sheet, unbacked. Three wormholes, left margin has a few small notches. Overall very good condition. A very rare print with a great and humorous depiction of the Tengu king. Cf. MFA Boston 64.820, also Waseda 201-2718.

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