Kozuka with Asahina Saburo Grasping Soga Gorô's Armor

Description This scene is the famous armor-tugging ("kusazuri-biki") episode between the warriors Asahina Saburo and Soga Gorô in the late 12th or early 13th century. Gorô was rushing to protect his brother Tarô. Asahina held him back by grabbing hold of Gorô's armor. Asahina was so strong that the armor broke in his hands. The scene was part of a kabuki play and regularly performed in the 18th century.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions none

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters