28 Utagawa Yoshitora 1836 – 1882 Attack on the Castle of Fujiwara no Sumitomo

Japan, 1864 (Edo period)

This dynamic battle triptych is the work of Utagawa Yoshitora, a prominent designer of musha-e (warrior prints) and a leading pupil of the master Kuniyoshi. The monumental scene illustrates a famous historical event from the 10th century: the suppression of Fujiwara no Sumitomo's rebellion. The extensive cartouche in the upper right corner provides the full narrative title: "General of the main attack Ono no Yoshifuru and General of the rear attack Minamoto no Tsunemoto attacking the castle of former Iyo official Sumitomo with a large army". Yoshitora fully displays his talent for epic compositions here. The scene is packed with action; dozens of arrows fly through the air, warriors storm across the bridge, and the right section is dominated by massive, vividly colored military standards and banners. This triptych represents a prime example of late Edo-period warrior prints at their most spectacular.