12 Utagawa Kunisada 1786 – 1865 Lady-in-waiting Denshō no Tsubone

from the series Famous Figures of Japan (Kunizukushi Yamato Meiyo)

Kunisada portrays the noble lady Denshō no Tsubone, also known as Naishinosuke no Tsubone, performing her heroic act during the naval Battle of Dannoura in the 12th century. She is shown holding the young Emperor Antoku in imperial robes and a fan decorated with a pine motif—symbolizing steadfast loyalty and longevity—poised to leap into the stormy sea.

The upper cartouche depicts the chaotic battle between the Heike and Minamoto clans, as the imperial court flees Kyoto by ship. Rather than allow the sacred child to fall into enemy hands, the lady chooses to drown with him, preserving his divine dignity. Kunisada’s refined composition, dominated by red, white, and gold hues, and the delicate yet resolute expression of the woman convey both grace and tragic grandeur. The print exemplifies the artist’s mastery in fusing emotional narrative with painterly sophistication.