Heroes of the Popular History of the Three Kingdoms, One by One

(Tsûzoku Sangokushi yeiyû no ichi-nin)

Publisher: Jôshû-ya Kinzô

1836

‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ is a Chinese historical novel written in the fourteenth century by Luo Guanzhong about the period between the years 184 and 280 CE.  During this turbulent period of history, China was composed of three competing kingdoms–the Wei (also known as Cao Wei), the Han (also known as Shu Han or Shu) and the Wu (also known as Eastern Wu).  The prints in this series are each about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban. 

 

Hero: The scholar and teacher Kômei praying for wind at the alter of the Seven Stars

Robinson: S10.1 (first state)

 

NOTE: In the first state of this design, the title cartouche reads Tsûzoku Sangokushi yeiyû no ichi-nin, the same as on the other prints from this series

 

 

 

Hero: The scholar and teacher Kômei praying for wind at the alter of the Seven Stars

Robinson: S10.1 (second state)

 

NOTE: In the second state of this design, title cartouche reads Wakan buyû kagami instead of Tsûzoku Sangokushi yeiyû no ichi-nin.

 

 

Hero: Kwanu grasping his huge glaive and subduing a band of rebels on the steps of a castle

Robinson: S10.2

 

Hero: Môki Bachô killing the mother of Kyûjo of Rekijô after becoming a follower of Gentoku

Robinson: S10.3

 

Hero: Chôkô and Chô-un fighting on a hillside partly enveloped by smoke

Robinson: S10.4

 

Hero: Gentoku (Future emperor Chao Lieh) and his black horse Tekiro are leaping into the Tan Gorge in order to escape captivity

Robinson: S10.5

 

This is a later edition of the above print with a simplified design.

 

Hero: Hôsen Ryofu mounted with hair and cloths flying spears a fallen foe after the defeat of Sôsô

Robinson: S10.6

 

Hero: Chôhi holding his formidable spear, glares at the enemy from the back of his black horse

Robinson: S10.7

 

Hero: Shusô and Hôtoku fighting under water

Robinson: S10.8

 

Hero: Chô-un (Chao Yun) saving Gentoku’s son A Tow at the battle of Ch’ang Fan Kiao in 208 CE

Robinson: unlisted

 

NOTE: It is easy to miss A-Tow’s small head directly below Chô-un’s head

 

Hero: ?

Robinson: unlisted

‘Robinson’ refers to listing in Kuniyoshi: The Warrior-Prints by Basil William Robinson (Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 1982) and its unpublished supplement.

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