Takeda Shingen

Artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 月岡芳年 (Japanese, 1839–1892)

Publisherpublished by Maruya Tetsujirō 丸屋鉄次郎 (Kobayashi Tetsujirō 小林鉄次郎) (Japanese, 19th century)

DateOctober 20, 1886

Mediumwoodblock print; ink, color, burnishing, and mica on paper

Dimensions35 x 25 cm (oban)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineHarriet B. Bancroft Fund

Terms

Object number1985.32

DescriptionTakeda Harunobu, later Shingen (1521-73), was one of the most ruthless warlords and successful administrators during the tumultuous sixteenth century. By 1570 his lands included Kai, Shinano, Suruga provinces and parts of Kozuke, Totomi, and Hida provinces. During his last years Shingen even fought Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who along with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, were later called "the unifiers of Japan."

Depicted in front of one of his conquered fortresses, Shingen wears his famous helmet which is decorated with a white mane and the fore-crest of a shikami (mythical demon) with large horns. The two-piece hitatare costume is decorated with a design based on his diamond-shaped crest. Ordained in 1551 as a Buddhist Tendai-sect monk, Shingen also wears a rakusu, an apron-like vestment. While reminiscent of the patched kesa-garment symbolic of Buddha's robe, its small size allowed freedom of movement. Mustache and beard were considered 'manly' and prevented chafing of helmet cords.

A tenet of Shingen's house-code read: "Pay proper reverence to the gods and the Buddha. When your thoughts are in accord with the Buddha's, you will gain more power. If your domination over others comes from your evil thoughts, you will be exposed-you are doomed. Devote yourselves to the study of Zen-it has no secrets other than seriously thinking about birth-and-death."
Label Text2003-04-03: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (Japanese, 1839-92) Takeda Daizen-no-daibu Harunobu Nyudo Shingen Registered October 20, 1886 Series: "Yoshitoshi's Courageous Warriors" Woodblock print; ink and color on paper; vertical oban Harriet B. Bancroft Fund, 1985.32 Takeda Harunobu, later Shingen (1521-73), was one of the most ruthless warlords and successful administrators during the tumultuous sixteenth century. By 1570 his lands included Kai, Shinano, Suruga provinces and parts of Kozuke, Totomi, and Hida provinces. During his last years Shingen even fought Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who along with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, were later called "the unifiers of Japan." Depicted in front of one of his conquered fortresses, Shingen wears his famous helmet which is decorated with a white mane and the fore-crest of a shikamProvenanceRobin Kennedy, London

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