Tokiwa-Gozen and Her Sons

Artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川国芳 (Japanese, 1797–1861)

Publisherpublished by Kansendō 甘泉堂 (Japanese)

Dateabout 1835–1845

Mediumwoodblock print; ink and color on paper; vertical oban diptych

Dimensions68.5 x 23.5 cm (26 15/16 x 9 1/4 in.)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection

Terms

Object number1901.262

Label TextUtagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese, 1798-1861) Tokiwa-Gozen and her Sons About 1840-45 Woodblock print; ink and color on paper; oban diptych John Chandler Bancroft Collection, 1901.262 At seventeen, Tokiwa-Gozen was an attendant at an imperial wedding when she attracted the attention of the warrior Minamoto Yoshitomo (1123-60) and became his favorite mistress. In the 'Heiji Incident' (1159-60) Yoshitomo led the Minamoto clan in an attack on Sanjo Palace to capture the ex-emperor Go-Shirakawa and his son, emperor Nijo. The Taira clan under Taira Kiyomori counter-attacked and Yoshitomo was defeated and killed. Tokiwa fled to the countryside with her children in the midst of winter. Wearing a travel hat and high clogs (geta), Tokiwa made her way to her uncle's village, and then towards the Yoshino mountains. SProvenanceJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection

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