Kuniyoshi - Heroes of the Popular History of the Three Kingdoms

Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Rare warrior print from the series: Tsuzoku sangokushi eiyu no ichinin 通俗三国志英雄上壹人 (Heroes of the Popular History of the Three Kingdoms, One by One). This print depicts the hero: Hôsen Ryofu (呂布 奉先) mounted with hair flying spearing a fallen foe after the defeat of Sôsô.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a Chinese historical novel written in the fourteenth century by Luo Guanzhong about the period between the years 184 and 280 CE.  During this turbulent period of history, China was composed of three competing kingdoms–the Wei (also known as Cao Wei), the Han (also known as Shu Han or Shu) and the Wu (also known as Eastern Wu).  The prints in this series are each about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban. (thanks www.kuniyoshiproject.com)

Publisher: Jôshû-ya Kinzô

Size: 10"x 15"

Date: 1836

Condition: Good color, cropped as shown, minor repairs on top border. Small hole on right side. Not backed.

Genre: Ukiyo-e

Medium: Woodblock Print

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_2008-3037-05405

http://www.kuniyoshiproject.com/Heroes%20of%20the%20Popular%20History%20of%20the%20Three%20Kingdoms.htm