Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Sahyōenosuke Minamoto no Yoritomo Attacking an Enemy on Horseback1886, October

Not on view

Artist or Maker: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Title: Sahyōenosuke Minamoto no Yoritomo Attacking an Enemy on Horseback
Place Made: Japan
Date Made: 1886, October
Period: Meiji period (1868-1912)
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)
Credit Line: Herbert R. Cole Collection
Accession Number: M.84.31.96
Classification: Prints
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).

Not on view

Artist or Maker: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Title: Sahyōenosuke Minamoto no Yoritomo Attacking an Enemy on Horseback
Place Made: Japan
Date Made: 1886, October
Period: Meiji period (1868-1912)
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)
Credit Line: Herbert R. Cole Collection
Accession Number: M.84.31.96
Classification: Prints
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).