Kusunagi (no) Tsurugi, Yamato dake(no)- Mikoto. (the grass-cutting sword of Prince Yamato-dake no Mikoto). Series: Gekko Zuihitsu

This print from the Gekko Zuihitsu series depicts the same mythological subject as its companion: Yamato Takeru no Mikoto and the Kusanagi no Tsurugi, the grass-cutting sword of the imperial regalia. Whether this represents a separate compositional state, a differently catalogued impression, or a variant design, the subject is among the most significant episodes in Japanese founding mythology. Yamato Takeru's escape from the grass fire through the sword's power was widely depicted in Meiji-era art as the era's official promotion of imperial mythology created demand for such images. Gekko's treatment would show the warrior hero in archaic attire, likely with dynamic rendering of wind-driven grass or flame consistent with his expressive compositional approach to mythological and historical subjects in this series.