The White Dragon Ascends to Heaven at the Koromo River during the Battle of Takadachi in the Third Year of the Bunji Era (1187)

Terms of Use
Usage Conditions ApplyAt A Glance
-
Period
1857, 11th month -
Geography
Japan -
Material
Ink and color on paper -
Dimension
H x W (right): 35 x 24.3 cm (13 3/4 x 9 9/16 in) -
Accession Number
S2004.3.203a-c -
EDAN ID
edanmdm:fsg_S2004.3.203a-c
Object Details
-
Artist
Utagawa Yoshitsuya 歌川芳艶 (fl. 1822-1826) -
Label
A band of warriors, each identified by a name in a red label, gazes in awe at a white dragon rising from the Koromo River in the midst of a lightning storm. Representations in warrior prints of historical subjects like this one were influenced by the compositions and visual devices used in kabuki theatrical performances. The conventions were also used in contemporary battle prints of the Meiji era. At the center of this image stands the great warrior-monk Benkei, who holds a staff with a red banner emblazoned with the Wheel of the Buddhist Law. Benkei was the devoted retainer of the young Minamoto no Yoshitsune, who stands in full battle armor beneath the pine tree at right. The incident represented here is one of many legends that developed after Yoshitsune's death. The Koromo River in present-day Iwate Prefecture was the site of Yoshitsune's residence after his flight in 1187 to the north to escape from his half brother, Yoritomo. There, Yoshitsune established his last stronghold, where he ultimately was forced to kill his wife, his daughter, and himself in 1189. -
Collection
National Museum of Asian Art Collection -
Exhibition History
Masterful Illusions: Japanese Prints from the Anne van Biema Collection (September 15, 2002 to January 9, 2003) -
Origin
Japan -
Credit Line
The Anne van Biema Collection -
Type
Print -
Restrictions and Rights
Usage Conditions Apply
There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.
Keep Exploring
-
Related Resources
-
Date
-
Name
-
Place
-
Topic
-
Culture
-
Object Type