Triptych: Surprise Attack
(Japan and Korea )
Uesugi Kenshin (1530-1578), on horseback at right, is shown breaking into his enemy's camp on the eve of battle. Taken by surprise, Takeda Shingen (1521-1573) defends himself with his iron war fan. But even a surprise attack did not bring an end to what turned out to be a ten-year war between skilled strategists. This particular episode became a favorite subject for printmakerss and playwrights. Chikashige depicts actors, who assume traditional cross-eyed poses to underscore the psychological intensity of the moment.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
C. Robert Snell, Oriental Arts & Antiques, Timonium, Maryland; purchased by Justine Lewis Keidel, Owings Mills, Maryland, after 1971; given to Walters Art Museum, 1991.
Geographies
Japan (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 13 7/8 x W: 27 15/16 in. (35.2 x 71 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Justine Lewis Keidel, 1991
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
95.696