Artwork

太平記正清難戦之図|Masakiyo's Challenging Battle, from the series Taiheiki (Taiheiki, Masakiyo nansen no zu)

太平記正清難戦之図|Masakiyo's Challenging Battle, from the series Taiheiki (Taiheiki, Masakiyo nansen no zu) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Yoshitoshi. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1866 by the Japanese printmaker Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, this triptych of woodblock prints depicts a tumultuous battle scene from the historical chronicle Taiheiki. Executed in ink and color on paper, the work is part of the series titled “Masakiyo’s Challenging Battle.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art currently holds the piece in its collection.

Subject & Meaning

The composition portrays a chaotic clash of warriors clad in vivid red and black armor beneath a storm‑filled sky. Central to the action is a towering figure with disheveled hair and an intense expression, brandishing a spear. The surrounding combatants, swords drawn, convey the ferocity and desperation of the conflict narrated in the Taiheiki.

Technique & Style

Yoshitoshi employs fine cross‑hatching to render shadows and surface texture, a hallmark of late‑Edo woodblock practice. The use of bold pigments—particularly reds, greens, and golds—contrasts sharply with darker tonal areas, heightening the sense of movement. The intricate line work and layered coloration create depth within the crowded tableau.

History & Provenance

The print was produced during the final years of the Tokugawa shogunate, a period when Yoshitoshi was prolific in illustrating historical and literary subjects. After its creation, the work entered the international art market and was eventually acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s Japanese prints collection.