Trittico originale con stampa xilografica - Carta Washi - Guerriero, Samurai - Utagawa Toyokuni I (1769-1825) - "The Soga Brothers Defeat Ten Enemies at Once in Their Night Attack" 曾我兄弟夜討十番切之図 - Giappone - circa 1800

Original woodblock print triptych - Utagawa Toyokuni I (1769-1825) - "Soga kyōdai youchi jūban-giri no zu" 曾我兄弟夜討十番切之図 (The Soga Brothers Defeat Ten Enemies at Once in Their Night Attack) - Japan - ca 1800

Artist: Utagawa Toyokuni I (1769-1825)

Title: Kabuki play "Soga kyōdai youchi jūban-giri no zu" 曾我兄弟夜討十番切之図 (The Soga Brothers Defeat Ten Enemies at Once in Their Night Attack)

Publisher: Yamamotoya Heikichi

Date: ca 1800

Size: (L)37.5 x 25.5 (C)38.6 x 24.7 (R)38.4 x 25.6 cm

Condition: Wear and soiling, tears restored, creases, slightly trimmed.

This print is based on a particularly favourite subject in ukiyo-e, 'The Soga Brothers'. The story follows two brothers seeking to avenge their murdered father, recounting their trials and hardships along the way. When they were only young boys, their father was murdered by the retinue of Kudo Suketsune, a retainer of a twelfth-century warlord. As adults they became skilled fighters intent on avenging their father and retrieving his sword Tomokirimaru.