The Heiki Clan Sinking into the Sea and Perishing in 1185
Artist
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 月岡 芳年
(Japanese, 1839–1892)
Date6th month 1853
Mediumwoodblock print, ink and color on paper
DimensionsOban Triptych: 112.5 × 25.3 cm (44 5/16 × 9 15/16 in.)
Oban (each): 37.5 × 25.3 cm (14 3/4 × 9 15/16 in.)
Oban (each): 37.5 × 25.3 cm (14 3/4 × 9 15/16 in.)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineAlexander H. Bullock Fund
Object number2002.213
DescriptionIssued when he was just fifteen, Yoshitoshi’s earliest published work is a scene from the war epic The Tale of the Heike. Realizing the impending defeat of his clan, the leader of the fleet, Taira no Kiyomori (1118–81), bound himself to an anchor and plunged into the sea. On the seabed, the human faces of the defeated Taira warriors are transformed into the shell patterns on the backs of local crabs. A pastiche of several of his teacher’s earlier designs, this triptych was very popular, and its production testifies to the confidence his teachers and associates had in the young Yoshitoshi’s abilities.Label TextIssued when he was just fifteen, Yoshitoshi’s earliest published work is a scene from the war epic The Tale of the Heike. Realizing the impending defeat of his clan, the leader of the fleet, Taira no Kiyomori (1118–81), bound himself to an anchor and plunged into the sea. On the seabed, the human faces of the defeated Taira warriors are transformed into the shell patterns on the backs of local crabs. A pastiche of several of his teacher’s earlier designs, this triptych was very popular, and its production testifies to the confidence his teachers and associates had in the young Yoshitoshi’s abilities.ProvenanceThe Katie and Scott McDonald Collection, Rochester, NY
On View
Not on view
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 月岡 芳年
September 1885
