Lord Yoritomo and His Entourage Cross the Ōi River (Yoritomo kō Ōigawa gyōretsu [no] zu)

Artist Utagawa Yoshitsuya I 歌川芳艶 (Japanese, 1822–1866)

Date1863, 3rd month

Mediumwoodblock print; ink and color on paper;

Dimensions35.5 x 48.9 cm (14 x 19 1/4 in.)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineMrs. Kingsmill Marrs Collection

Terms

Object number1925.792

DescriptionRight and center sheets of incomplete triptych
Label TextMinamoto Yoritomo (1147–99), Yoshitsune's older half-brother, had been exiled as a boy to the eastern Izu province by Taira Kiyomori. There Yoritomo was raised under the watchful supervision of Ito Sukechika (the grand-father of the famous Soga Brothers) and Hojo Tokimasa, the latter becoming Yoritomo's father-in-law and loyal supporter. Threatened in 1180 by a call from an imperial prince for the Minamoto to rise against the Taira-clan, Kiyomori ordered the capture and execution of Yoritomo. At first forced to flee, but then receiving support and troops from local rulers, Yoritomo made a base in Kamakura and proceeded west through Suruga province along the Tokaido Road. At the "Battle of Fuji River" the Taira troops, who feared Yoritomo's approach, panicked and fled back towards Kyoto when water-fowl suddenly flew off from marshes at the foot of Mount Fuji at midnight. The print depicts the following day, when Yoritomo's floating palanquin and troops crossed the Oi River (border of Suruga and Totomi provinces). The artist has stressed the linked formations of the men and horses by alternating lighter and darker-colored bodies. Yoritomo could have continued to pursue the Taira troops but instead wisely decided to secure his growing power base between Kamakura and Kyoto. Yoshitsune galloped from Oshu to join Yoritomo and support the budding rebellion.ProvenanceGift of Mrs. Kingsmill Marrs, Boston

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