Tsukioka Yoshitoshi – Taira no Tomomori, 1885 | Original Japanese Woodblock Print
Before his death, the samurai picked up a broom.
Created in 1885 by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892), one of the great masters of Japanese ukiyo-e, this original woodblock print depicts Taira no Tomomori during the final days of the Heike clan.
The scene comes from one of the most famous episodes in Japanese samurai history.
In 1185, at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, the Heike faced their final defeat against the Genji.
Realizing that the battle was lost, Tomomori did not flee.
According to The Tale of the Heike, he calmly prepared for the end. Before his death, he is remembered for taking a broom and cleaning the ship — an extraordinary image of composure, dignity, and acceptance in the face of death.
Rather than depicting the violence of battle, Yoshitoshi chose this quiet moment.
A warrior in full armor, sweeping the floor before meeting his fate.
It is an image that captures something deeply rooted in the traditional Japanese ideal of the samurai: dignity even in defeat.
ABOUT TSUKIOKA YOSHITOSHI
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi was one of the most important Japanese print artists of the late 19th century.
A student of the celebrated ukiyo-e master Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Yoshitoshi became renowned for his dramatic historical scenes, warriors, supernatural subjects, and psychologically powerful portraits.
Working during the transition from the Edo period into modern Japan, he witnessed the decline of traditional ukiyo-e as photography and Western printing technologies entered the country.
For this reason, Yoshitoshi is often described as one of the last great masters of ukiyo-e.
This work was produced in 1885, only seven years before his death.
THE WORK
Title:
Shinchunagon Taira no Tomomori
Series:
Yoshitoshi Musha Burui
(“Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors”)
Artist:
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
1839–1892
Date:
1885 / Meiji 18
Period:
Meiji Period
Medium:
Japanese polychrome woodblock print (nishiki-e)
Genre:
Musha-e / Warrior Print
Publisher:
Kobayashi Tetsujiro
Country:
Japan
Signature:
Yoshitoshi signature and seal visible in the lower right
Date inscription:
Meiji 18 (1885) visible in the left margin
Quantity:
One original work only
The exact work shown in the photographs will be shipped.
A SURVIVOR FROM 19TH-CENTURY JAPAN
This is not a modern poster or digital reproduction.
The work is printed on traditional Japanese paper using the woodblock printing process. Pigments can be seen through the reverse of the thin paper, consistent with the characteristics of traditional Japanese woodblock printing.
The colors remain remarkably vivid for a work of this age, particularly the reds, yellows, purples and dark tones of Tomomori’s armor and surroundings.
More than 140 years after it was produced, the print still retains a striking visual presence.
For collectors of Japanese art, samurai history and ukiyo-e, it represents a tangible connection to Meiji-period Japan.
CONDITION
This is an antique work dating from the 19th century and shows natural signs of age and previous handling.
Age-related toning, discoloration, minor staining, small marks, wear, creases and binding holes may be present.
Please carefully examine all photographs before purchasing.
The photographs form an important part of the condition description.
No attempt has been made to digitally conceal age-related imperfections.
We consider these traces of age part of the history and character of an antique Japanese print.
AUTHENTICITY & ATTRIBUTION
This work was acquired in Japan from a professional art and antique seller and was sold to us as a genuine work by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi.
The artist, title, date, publisher, signature, seal and printed inscriptions have been identified based on the information visible on the work and reference information for the design.
Please note that AUN is not an independent academic authentication institution.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, no separate certificate from a third-party authentication institution accompanies the work.
Our accompanying documentation is intended to record the identification, provenance information available to us, physical characteristics and condition of the work; it should not be interpreted as an independent expert authentication certificate.
PROVENANCE
Acquired in Japan through the Japanese art and antique market.
The previous professional seller offered the work under a guarantee of authenticity subject to that seller’s own terms and conditions.
Please note that any guarantee originally provided by the previous seller does not automatically constitute or transfer as an independent third-party authentication certificate.
PLEASE NOTE BEFORE PURCHASING
This is an antique artwork, not a newly manufactured product.
Minor stains, fading, toning, creases, small tears, binding holes, edge wear or other age-related imperfections may be present even when they are not immediately visible in photographs.
Color appearance may vary slightly depending on lighting, photography and your screen settings.
Please review all photographs carefully and contact us before purchasing if you would like additional photographs or details about the condition.
Because each antique work is unique, only one is available.
WORLDWIDE SHIPPING FROM TOKYO
The work will be carefully packed in Tokyo and shipped internationally with tracking.
Import duties, taxes, VAT, customs clearance fees or other charges may apply depending on the destination country.
These charges are not included in the product price or shipping cost and, where applicable, are the responsibility of the customer.
Customs regulations vary by country. Please check the rules applicable to your destination before purchasing.
A PIECE OF JAPANESE HISTORY
This is more than an image of a samurai.
It captures the final moments of a warrior who understood that his world was about to disappear.
Yoshitoshi chose not to show Tomomori fighting.
He showed him cleaning.
A quiet act before death.
Printed in Japan in 1885 and preserved for more than a century, this work carries both the history of ukiyo-e and the memory of the samurai culture that inspired it.
One original available.
Worldwide shipping from Tokyo.
International Orders
Import duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees are not included in the product price or shipping cost.
If applicable, these charges are determined by your country's customs authority and are the responsibility of the customer.
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi: "Shin Chunagon Taira no Tomomori," 1885 | Japanese Woodblock Print, Ukiyo-e
Before his death, the samurai picked up a broom.
This woodblock print was created in 1885 (Meiji 18) by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892), one of Japan's leading ukiyo-e artists.
It depicts Taira no Tomomori, known as one of the last samurai generals of the Taira clan.
The scene is taken from one of the most famous episodes in Japanese samurai history.
In 1185, at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, the Taira clan faced their final defeat against the Minamoto clan.
Tomomori, realizing that the battle was lost, chose not to flee.
According to "The Tale of the Heike," Tomomori calmly prepared for his end. His act of taking a broom and cleaning the ship is particularly renowned, symbolizing the samurai's composure, dignity, and acceptance of fate in the face of death.
Yoshitoshi did not choose to depict the moment of fierce battle.
Instead, he portrayed a warrior in full armor, quietly sweeping the deck before meeting his ultimate fate.
This print symbolizes the Japanese samurai culture, which embodies the ideal of maintaining one's dignity even in defeat.
ABOUT TSUKIOKA YOSHITOSHI
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi was one of the most important Japanese ukiyo-e artists of the late 19th century.
He studied under the great ukiyo-e master Utagawa Kuniyoshi and produced numerous works including warrior prints, historical paintings, ghostly images, and beautiful women portraits.
Yoshitoshi was active during a period of great social change, transitioning from the Edo period to modern Japan.
As photography and Western printing technologies entered Japan, traditional ukiyo-e culture gradually declined. Yoshitoshi continued to create works during this time, earning him the reputation as one of the "last ukiyo-e masters."
This work, produced in 1885, was created just seven years before Yoshitoshi's death.
It is a work born at the final stage of ukiyo-e culture, which spanned from the Edo to Meiji periods.
WORK INFORMATION
Title:
Shin Chunagon Taira no Tomomori
Series:
Yoshitoshi Musha Burui
Artist:
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
1839–1892
Date:
1885 / Meiji 18
Period:
Meiji Period
Technique:
Polychrome woodblock print (nishiki-e)
Genre:
Musha-e / Warrior Print, Historical Painting
Publisher:
Kobayashi Tetsujiro
Country of Production:
Japan
Signature:
Yoshitoshi's signature and seal can be seen on the lower right of the print.
Date Inscription:
An inscription "御届 明治十八年" (Registered Meiji 18) can be seen on the left margin of the print.
Quantity:
One original item only
The actual item shown in the photographs will be delivered.
A SURVIVOR FROM 19TH-CENTURY JAPAN
This work is not a modern poster or digital print.
It is a work printed on traditional Japanese paper using traditional Japanese woodblock techniques.
The pigments can be seen through the reverse side of the thin Japanese paper, a characteristic of traditional Japanese woodblock prints.
Despite being over 140 years old, the colors, including red, yellow, purple, and black, remain remarkably vibrant.
You can still enjoy the vivid colors of the armor and background.
For collectors of Japanese art, ukiyo-e, and samurai history, this print offers a direct connection to Meiji-era Japan.
CONDITION
This work is an antique artwork produced in the 19th century.
Due to its age, it may show signs of age such as tanning, discoloration, minor stains, small marks, scuffs, creases, and binding holes.
Please carefully examine all photographs before making a purchase.
The photographs are an important part of the condition description.
No attempt has been made to digitally conceal age-related imperfections.
Please understand that such signs of aging are part of the history and character of an antique woodblock print that has survived for over 100 years.
AUTHENTICITY & ATTRIBUTION
This work was acquired from a professional art and antique dealer in Japan and was sold to us as a genuine work by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi.
The artist, title, date, publisher, signature, seal, and other inscriptions have been identified based on information visible on the work and reference materials pertaining to the design.
However, AUN is not an independent academic authentication institution.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, this work does not come with a separate certificate of authenticity issued by a third-party authentication institution.
The documentation provided by AUN is intended to record the identification, provenance information available to us, and the physical characteristics and condition of the work; it should not be interpreted as an expert authentication certificate from a third-party institution.
PROVENANCE
Acquired through the Japanese art and antique market in Japan.
The professional dealer from whom it was acquired offered the work with a "guarantee of authenticity" subject to their own terms and conditions.
However, any guarantee originally provided by the source does not automatically transfer as an independent certificate of authenticity from a third-party institution.
PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASE
This product is an antique artwork produced over 100 years ago, not a newly manufactured item.
Even if not immediately visible in photographs, minor stains, fading, tanning, creases, small tears, binding holes, edge damage, and other age-related changes may be present.
The color appearance may vary slightly depending on lighting conditions during photography, the camera used, and the display settings of your monitor or smartphone.
If you have any concerns about the condition of the work, please request additional photographs or details before purchasing.
Due to the nature of antiques, it is not possible to provide an identical item again.
Only one item is available for sale.
WORLDWIDE SHIPPING FROM TOKYO
The artwork will be carefully packed in Tokyo and shipped internationally using a trackable shipping method.
Depending on the destination country, import duties, VAT, various taxes, customs clearance fees, etc., may apply.
These costs are not included in the product price or shipping cost and, if applicable, are the responsibility of the purchaser.
Customs duties and import regulations vary by country, so please check the rules applicable to your destination before purchasing.
OWN A PIECE OF JAPANESE HISTORY
This is more than just a "picture of a samurai."
It is a work that depicts the final moments of a warrior who understood that his world was about to disappear.
Yoshitoshi did not depict Tomomori fighting.
He depicted
"Tomomori cleaning."
A quiet act before death.
Printed in Japan in 1885 and preserved for over 140 years, this work embodies not only the history of ukiyo-e but also the spirit of the samurai that Yoshitoshi sought to capture and the memory of Japanese culture.
Only one item is available.
Ships worldwide from Tokyo.
