Katsukawa Shuntei

River Battle (Kassen)

Maker

Katsukawa Shuntei (Japanese, 1770-1820)
Tsutaya Kichizō 蔦屋吉蔵 (Japanese, c. 1830-1859, active in Edo, Japan), publisher

Title

River Battle (Kassen)

Period

Edo (Japanese period)

Year

1808

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

ink, color

Supports

Geography

Place Made: Japan; Place Made: Tokyo

Dimensions

Sheet: 37.2 x 76.2 cm (14 5/8 x 30 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Inscription verso (part C), bottom center in pencil: ICB92

Signature: Shuntei ga

Seals: Censor's seal | Kiwame; date seal | 1808.4

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Bequest of Isaac C. Bates

Object Number

13.2329

Type

Exhibition History

Heroes and Warriors
Japanese Prints of Historical Narratives and Legendary Tales
Sep 28, 2007 – Jan 13, 2008

Label copy

This panoramic battle scene is characteristic of Shuntei’s warrior prints. By experimenting with such expansive views in the triptych format, Shuntei laid the foundation for the development of the subject in the 19th century.

How would you compare this rendition of a battle to other fighting scenes in this exhibition?

Triptychs in Japanese Printmaking
Jun 06, 2003 – Aug 31, 2003

Label copy

This early battle scene in three-panel format is striking in its deep space and its dense figural composition.

Bushido
The Way of the Samurai
Nov 01, 1985 – Feb 09, 1986

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Katsukawa Shuntei (Japanese, 1770-1820)
Tsutaya Kichizō 蔦屋吉蔵 (Japanese, c. 1830-1859, active in Edo, Japan), publisher
River Battle (Kassen), 1808
Three-paneled polychrome woodblock print
Sheet: 37.2 x 76.2 cm (14 5/8 x 30 inches)
Bequest of Isaac C. Bates 13.2329

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