Taira no Kiyomori Holding Back the Sun, from the series Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan (Dai Nippon meishō kagami)
- Date:
- Meiji period, circa 1878-1882
- Medium:
- Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink, color and gauffrage ("blind" printing) on paper
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 34.9 × 24 cm
- Source:
- Harvard Art Museums
Description
"Taira no Kiyomori Holding Back the Sun" from the series "Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan" (circa 1878–1882) depicts the Heike patriarch in one of the most audacious episodes attributed to him in legend: commanding the sun to halt its descent so that the battle could continue before nightfall. The historical Kiyomori was already associated with supernatural arrogance in the chronicles, and popular tradition elaborated his hubris into acts of cosmic presumption. Yoshitoshi employs gauffrage (embossing) alongside color to achieve dimensional effects in the sky and figure.
More Prints by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
More Heroes & Warriors Prints
Saishin, from the series "Fashionable Women as the One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Water Margin (Fuzoku onna Suikoden, ippyakuhachinin no uchi)"
c. 1828/30
Color woodblock print; surimono
Oteiroku, from the series "Fashionable Women as the One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Water Margin (Fuzoku onna Suikoden, ippyakuhachinin no uchi)"
c. 1828/30
Color woodblock print; surimono
Rua Xiaoqi (Katsuenra Genshoshichi), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"
c. 1827/30
Color woodblock print; oban
Yang Zhi (Seimenju Yoshi), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"
c. 1827/30
Color woodblock print; oban
Frequently Asked Questions
Taira no Kiyomori Holding Back the Sun, from the series Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan (Dai Nippon meishō kagami) was created by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (月岡芳年) in Meiji period, circa 1878-1882.
Yes — Taira no Kiyomori Holding Back the Sun, from the series Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan (Dai Nippon meishō kagami) is part of the Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan series by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi.
Taira no Kiyomori Holding Back the Sun, from the series Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan (Dai Nippon meishō kagami) uses Embossing, on woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink, color and gauffrage ("blind" printing) on paper.
Taira no Kiyomori Holding Back the Sun, from the series Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan (Dai Nippon meishō kagami) depicts heroes & warriors.
Taira no Kiyomori Holding Back the Sun, from the series Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan (Dai Nippon meishō kagami) measures 34.9 × 24 cm (Oban format).