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Introduction

Heroes and Warriors

Japanese Prints of Historical Narratives and Legendary Tales
September 28, 2007 - January 13, 2008

Tall tales, heroic sagas, stories woven from history and legend — these are the sources from which Japanese printmakers drew to create the vivid images that fill this gallery. Such narratives have been part of the storytelling tradition for centuries and in the Edo period (1603–1868) became part of the puppet and kabuki theater repertory as well. Chinese stories were also popular in Japan, and illustrations from two of the most famous Chinese novels are included in this exhibition.

Many of these prints glorify loyalty, courage, and fidelity unto death, the virtues so often associated with the Japanese warrior class (samurai) beginning in the late 12th and 13th centuries. According to the code by which samurai lived, loyalty and fidelity often dictated revenge for injustices and perceived wrongs within the context of complex struggles for political power. The stories related through these prints touch upon camaraderie, failed ambitions of heroes and political leaders, and noble endings of brave men. The history of the great warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159–89) assumes epic dimensions in its retellings. He was perceived as a threat by his elder half-brother Yoritomo (1147–99), consequently persecuted, and eventually killed. Another true-life story concerns 47 masterless samurai (ro¯nin) who took revenge on behalf of their dead lord in 1703 and became martyrs when they were ordered to commit ritual suicide (seppuku). These dramatic tales live on in numerous forms, including the visually lively and powerful versions on view here.

Selected Objects

Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川 国芳

Toyotomi Hideyoshi escapes assassination on the ship of Yojibei (Toyotomi Hideyoshi to Yojibei), 1847-1852

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Gentoku Visits Kōmei in a Snowstorm (Gentoku fūsetsu ni Komei o otonau), 1883

Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川 国芳

Nitta Tadatsune and the Goddess of Mount Fuji (Kennin sannen Minamoto no Yoriie-kyo Fuji no mikari), ca. 1844

Mizuno Toshikata

Two Heroes Battle at the Foot of Liangshan (Ryōzanpaku no fūmoto ni ryōketsu yu o arasō), 1890's

Katsukawa Shuntei

River Battle (Kassen), 1808

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Moon at Mount Inaba (Inabayama no tsuki), 1885.12.10

Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川 国芳

Takiyasha Summons a Skeleton to confront Mitsukuni in the Sōma Castle, ca. 1844

Ochiai Yoshiiku

Utsusemi: Watanabe no Tsuna, Chapter 3 from the series Modern Parodies of Genji (Imayō nazaroe Genji), 1864, 7th month

Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)

Matano Gorō Kagehisa Dropping a Rock on Sanada Yoichi Yoshisada, 1810s

Utagawa Yoshitsuru

Opening siege of Minamoto no Yoritomo: Hojo Tokimasa and others attack Yamaki Hangan at his mansion (Minamoto no Yoritomo no hataage Hojo Tokimasa sono hoka Yamaki Hangan no yashiki ni oshiyoseru), 1847-1852

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Dawn Moon and Tumbling Snow: Kobayashi Heihachirō (Seppu no gyōgetsu: Kobayashi Heihachirō), 1886

Katsukawa Shuntei

The Warriors Sato Tadanobu and Yokawa Kakuhan (Sato Tadanobu; Yokawa Kakuhan), ca. 1800

More objects +

Exhibition Checklist

Heroes and Warriors : Japanese Prints of Historical Narratives and Legendary Tales

September 28, 2007 - January 13, 2008
View Checklist PDF

RISD Museum

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