Ishiwaka Tosuke Sadatomo under a Hail of Arrows Holding the Severed Head of His Enemy
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Format:
- Oban
- Source:
- Art of Japan
Description
Ishikawa Tosuke Sadatomo stands resolute under a hail of arrows, clutching the severed head of a defeated enemy — a composition that compresses multiple moments of a single combat into one image. Holding an enemy's head was the ultimate confirmation of a kill in samurai combat, a demonstration required for reward and honor, and Kuniyoshi renders the gesture with grim dignity rather than sensationalism. The arrows embedding themselves in the warrior's armour without stopping him emphasize a near-supernatural invincibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ishiwaka Tosuke Sadatomo under a Hail of Arrows Holding the Severed Head of His Enemy was created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳).
Ishiwaka Tosuke Sadatomo under a Hail of Arrows Holding the Severed Head of His Enemy depicts portraits.