Shibata Zeshin

SHIBATA ZESHIN (1807-1891)
Ushiwakamaru (The Young Yoshitsune) on Gojo Bridge
Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century
Kakejiku (hanging scroll), probably originally the middle scroll of a complete triptych, ink on paper, depicting the body of the youthful Minamoto no Yoshitsune beneath the full moon crossing the Gojo Bridge, entirely covered with a white cloth, only his trademark tiger-skin sheath sword visible, signed Zeshin utsutsu with pot seal Zeshin; with a wood storage box inscribed outisde the lid Zeshin-o hitsu Gojobashi Ushiwakamaru no zu (Ushiwakamaru on the Gojo Bridge, painted by the Venerable Zeshin), inside the lid Kakan'an Chikushin kan hei dai (Examined and inscribed by Kakan'an Chikushin) with a seal Yusai. Overall: 186cm x 48.5cm (73¼in x 19 1/16in); image: 104cm x 31cm (41in x 12¼in). (2).