Comment - Depiction of boys reenacting Yoritomo's hunting party at the base of Mt. Fuji in 1193. During this famous hunt, a giant boar attacked the party and the brave warrior Tadatsune killed the wild beast. Here, the snarling animal tramples over the young samurai, as spotted deer, rabbits, and foxes flee in all directions. The boy on horseback at right takes the part of Yoritomo, surrounded by warriors in armor and hunting costumes Terrific detail and action in this incredible image. At left a youth rides along on a dappled horse, using sharpened bamboo pole as a spear, while behind him, three kites flutter above a Minamoto banner. The Minamoto Clan ('Genji') was one of four great clans that dominated Japanese politics during the Heian period. Mt. Fuji rises majestically in the distance, the mountain softly shaded in green. A charming and creative interpretation of this famous event, with wonderful detail in the figures, boar, and setting.

The fan shaped kite ("Sensu tako", "扇子凧") carries the red sun symbol of the Japanese flag. A red and a black bird-of-prey kite ("tonbi dako", "鳶凧") are also attached to the long lancet banner carrier (all kites on left panel).

The title is drawn within the blue cassette on the upper right panel (not read).


Series -  ~


Artist - see Biography YOSHITSUYA


Signature - Ichiei Yoshitsuya ga (一英斎芳艶画) on every panel in red or blue Ootoshidama cassettes (for instance cf. right panel, lower left; here: blue Ootoshidama cassette)


Publisher - Kaga-ya Kichiemon (加賀屋吉右衛門),  Aosei-dō Publisher's (青盛堂) seal on every panel; censor's nanushi seal (Yoshimura Gentarō, 吉村原太郎) on every panel (small circles; for instance cf. left panel, lower left)


Image Size - 36.5 x73.7cm (14 3/8" x 29") + margins as shown


Condition - tryptic, three separate sheets; nishiki-e (cloured woodblock); all of vertical ôban (ôban tate-e);