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Collections

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Sakanoue no Karitamaro Drawing His Bow1880, February

Not on view
Japanese woodblock print of a warrior in white robes, red hakama, and tall black hat, drawing a large bow in a wide stance beside a twisted pale tree trunk
Artist or Maker
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Title
Sakanoue no Karitamaro Drawing His Bow
Place Made
Japan
Date Made
1880, February
Medium
Color woodblock print
Dimensions
Image: 14 1/8 × 9 7/16 in. (35.88 × 23.97 cm) Sheet: 14 9/16 × 9 7/16 in. (36.99 × 23.97 cm)
Credit Line
Herbert R. Cole Collection
Accession Number
M.84.31.256
Classification
Prints
Collecting Area
Japanese Art
Curatorial Notes
Like his son, Tamuramaro, Sakanoue Karitamaro was a humble servant of the emperor. Yoshitoshi has depicted him here about to fire an arrow, an image of the martial prowess that the Sakanoue family used to align themselves with the emperor. Chosen to lead the imperial army because of their prestigious lineage, the Sakanoue were purportedly descended from Emperor Ling of the later Han Dynasty in China. (C.E. 25-220) The family emigrated to Japan during the reign of Emperor Ōjin in the late 4th century. Known for their refined military skills, especially their mastery of the bow and arrow, the Sakanoue were quickly recruited by the imperial court and appointed to high ranks at court and as warriors. Karitamaro and his progeny were revered in Yoshitoshi's time as brave warriors and honorable loyalists.