Ukiyo-e Educational Catalog · Record 45062

Kusatsu (Station 52, Print 53)

Artist / 作者: Utagawa Kuniyoshi歌川国芳
Date / 年代: 1840-1850
Medium / 技法: 浮世絵 / Ukiyo-e / Edo / mak
Digital record / 画像記録: 637 × 1000 px
Source collection / 所蔵元: MAK Vienna
Published by / 公開者: 黒川トウマ
Rights / 権利: Permission required
Attribution / 表記: MAK - Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna

Catalog note / 解説

Kuniyoshi was extremely interested in legendary heroes, particularly those associated with war and famous battles. The subject of this print is Minamoto no Yorimitsu (948-1041), also known as Minamoto no Raikö, a famed oni (demon) slayer, reaching for his sword. Kuniyoshi disguises the Spider Demon as a nighttime visitor, but the hero remains alert and prepared to destroy the enemy. A loyal warrior of the Fujiwara clan, Yorimitsu was known for his military exploits and rewarded for his service. He was commander of a regiment of the Imperial Guard and a secretary in the Ministry of War. Demons depicted in Japanese prints have become a favorite subject matter for contemporary tattoo artists.…

This static, text-only record contains no image or externally loaded resource.