- Title
- Sahyōenosuke Minamoto no Yoritomo Attacking an Enemy on Horseback
- Date Made
- 1886, October
- Medium
- Color woodblock print
- Dimensions
- Image: 13 × 8 3/4 in. (33.02 × 22.23 cm)
Sheet: 13 7/8 × 9 3/8 in. (35.24 × 23.81 cm)
- Accession Number
- M.84.31.96
- Collecting Area
- Japanese Art
- Curatorial Notes
Here, we see Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147-1199), the mastermind of Japan's first ruling shogunate, deftly charging an opponent on horseback. Yoritomo's steady movements, in contrast with the flailing panic of the enemy, reveal his skill as a horseman and epitomize his military ingenuity. Although he is better known for Machiavellian political tactics than for physical prowess on the battlefield, Yoritomo was a talented general and orchestrated many brilliant military campaigns. Yoshitoshi's depiction of the general in mounted combat represents one of Yoritomo's greatest contributions to medieval Japanese warfare; his successful employment of a skilled cavalry gave Minamoto troops the upper hand in key battles against horseless opponents. Yoritomo is often credited as the originator of yabusame (mounted archery).
