Ukiyo-e Educational Catalog · Record 39555

Poem by Retired Emperor Go-Toba

Artist / 作者: Utagawa Kuniyoshi歌川国芳
Date / 年代: 1837-1845
Medium / 技法: 浮世絵 / Ukiyo-e / Edo / vam
Digital record / 画像記録: 1354 × 2000 px
Source collection / 所蔵元: Victoria and Albert Museum
Published by / 公開者: 水野ナギ
Rights / 権利: Commercial license required
Attribution / 表記: Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Catalog note / 解説

Emperor Go-Toba, in full court robes, beats out the rudimentary form (<i>sunobe</i>) of a new sword blade in the humble surroundings of a forge with cracked mud walls. This woodblock print of about 1840 is from the series ‘Hyakunin Isshu’ by Utagawa Kuniyoshi. In 1221, the cloistered Emperor Go-Toba attempted to overthrow the new military government but was defeated and sent into exile on the island of Oki. From this position he was able to concentrate on his great love of swords, their manufacture and history. From his exile he summoned eminent swordsmiths, together with the necessary professional sword polishers, to visit him on Oki for a fixed period during the year. He gave them the tit…

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