Published 1883, 1901, The Last Stand of Masatsura in the Battle of Shijo-nawate in 1348 belongs to Historical Triptychs. Gekkō’s historical triptychs revisited famous episodes from Japanese and East Asian history on the expansive three-sheet format. Produced during the Meiji period, they helped connect the modern nation to a selective visual memory of emperors, warriors, loyal retainers, and celebrated legends.
Kusunoki Masashige and his son Masatsura were celebrated for loyalty to the Southern Court in the fourteenth century. Meiji culture elevated their sacrifices as models of devotion to the emperor. The catalog identifies archery, battle, men, samurai, and sword among the principal motifs. Gekkō uses their relationship to clarify action, season, setting, and narrative emphasis rather than treating them as interchangeable decoration.
The three-sheet format creates a broad visual field suited to simultaneous action, opposing forces, processions, or panoramic space; the joins between sheets also structure the narrative rhythm.
Additional information
| Editions | First Edition, Second Edition |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Narazawa Kanezo |
| Size | Oban triptych |
| Subjects | archery, battle, men, samurai, sword |
| Year Published | 1883, 1901 |
Contribute to this Listing
Do you have information to contribute to this listing such as edition information, images, or corrections? Please submit using the form below.
