Letter written by Yoshitsune at Koshigoe

Catalog note / 解説

Kuniyoshi was a celebrated artist best known for his musha-e (warrior prints), including his portrayal of the forty-seven loyal retainers in Ch üshingura. By the time of his death, he had completely altered the balance of subject matter in the art of ukiyo-e, establishing warrior prints as a respectable genre whose popularity rivaled that of prints portraying Kabuki actors and courtesans. The famous "Koshigoe letter," depicted here, represents the turning point in Yoshitsune's career. Despite his heroism, which helped crush the Heike in three major battles, and his repeated oaths of allegiance to his lord and elder brother Yoritomo, Yoritomo feared Yoshitsune as a potential rival and denied…