Rear Guard Amakasu Omi no Kami (Kagemochi) of the Uesugi Clan at Kawanakajima

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

Dateabout 1844

Mediumwoodblock print, ink and color on paper

Dimensions36.9 x 25.2 cm (14 1/2 x 9 15/16 in.)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineHarriet B. Bancroft Fund

Terms

Object number1987.154

Label Text2003-04-03: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese, 1798-1861) Rear Guard Amakasu Omi no Kami [Kagemochi] of the Uesugi Clan at Kawanakajima About 1844 Series: "A Hundred Generals, Brave in Battle, at Kawanakajima in Shinano" Woodblock print; ink and color on paper; vertical oban Harriet B. Bancroft Fund, 1987.154 The warrior Amakasu Kagemochi performed valiantly during the fourth battle at Kawanakajima (1561). When his master, Uesugi Kenshin, foiled the planned enemy operation by crossing Chikuma River and attacking Takeda no Shingen's headquarters, Kagemochi was left in command of about 3000 men at the Amenomiya river ford. Through his position as 'Rear Guard,' Kagemochi could delay-but not halt-the 8000-man unit of Shingen's troops, which having been fooled by Kenshin's secret escape from Mount Saijo, was rushing back to headquarters. This print is part of a bust-portrait series of famous generals from both the Takeda and Uesugi clans. Aware of the arrival of the enemy troops, silhouetted on the other side of the river, Kagemochi is here seen brandishing a halberd. To announce his high rank he wears elegant blue-laced armor, covered by a campaign coat (jinbaori) decorated with a dragon design, and a headband with a fore-crest of a mythical fish-dragon (shachi-hoko). Armor-making flourished from the mid to late sixteenth century as battles began to depend on the mass mobilization of foot soldiers. Generals therefore sought to distinguish themselves with colorful armor and unusual, fantastic headgear. Notes:Samurai Spirit

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