Takiguchi Utoneri Watanabe no Tsuna Uses His Sword Higekirimaru to Cut Off the Arm of the Ibaraki Demon near Modoribashi Bridge at Ichijō (Ichijō Modoribashi no hen ni te Higekirimaru no tachi o motte Ibaraki Dōji no kaina o kiru Takiguchi Utoneri Watanabe no Tsuna)

Maker(s)
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川国芳 (1798-1861)
Publisher: Kawaguchiya Uhei (Fukusendō) 川口屋卯兵衛 (Japanese)
Historical period(s)
Edo period, 1820-1830
Medium
Ink and color on paper
Dimensions
H x W (overall): 38.1 x 25.8 cm (15 x 10 3/16 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
The Anne van Biema Collection
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Accession Number
S2004.3.147
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Print
Type

Woodblock print

Keywords
Anne van Biema collection, demon, Edo period (1615 - 1868), hero, Japan, theater, ukiyo-e, warrior
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

Locked in combat, the warrior Watanabe no Tsuna (953- 1024) raises his sword to cut off the arm of the demon Ibaraki. A black background with swirling patterns represents the darkness of night and enhances the dynamic energy of the struggle. The short text beside the title in the upper corner reads, "Returning to Ichijo, beside the bridge, he cut off the arm of Ibaraki Doji with the sword Higekirimaru." The Higekiri (whisker-cutting) sword had been lent to the hero by Minamoto no Yorimitsu, known as Raiko, leader of the warriors who set out from Kyoto to slay the demon Shuten Doji. According to the story illustrated here, a beautiful woman met Watanabe no Tsuna and requested that he escort her toward her destination. Suddenly transformed into a demon, she seized him by the hair, so he cut off her arm with his sword. Warriors and heroes were a significant subject in Kuniyoshi's work. Both historical stories and legends of supernatural adversaries provide the basis for his brilliantly conceived and popular designs.

Published References
  • Ann Yonemura, et al. Masterful Illusions: Japanese Prints from the Anne van Biema Collection. Seattle and Washington. cat. 69, pp. 190-191.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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