Individual Warrior Prints

1836 - 1837

These prints are listed in Kuniyoshi: The Warrior-Prints by Basil William Robinson (Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 1982) and its privately published supplement as S1d. I am grateful to Robert Pryor for his contributions to this section.

Scene: Sakata Kaidômaru (坂田怪童丸), who is also known as Kintarô and as Kintoki, struggling with a huge carp in a waterfall

Publisher: Kaga-ya Kichiemon

Date: c. 1836

Robinson: S1d.1

NOTE: Kaga-ya Kichiemon was the original publisher of this design.

Another state with white title, signature, and text cartouches, also published by Kaga-ya Kichiemon

An additional state with the seals of the Kaga-ya Kichiemon and the censor in a white cartouche

This, and the following image, are later editions with the seal of the publisher Iba-ya Sensaburô replacing the seal of Kaga-ya Kichiemon. These prints also bear a reversed seal of the censor Watanabe Shôemon, which dates them to 1842-1846.

Seals of Iba-ya Sensaburô with reversed seal of Watanabe Shôemon	Correctly oriented seal of the censor Watanabe Shôemon, which reads Watari (渡)

A key block print for the above design

Scene: Ono no Komachi praying for rain (雨乞小町)

Publisher: Kaga-ya Kichiemon

Date: c. 1836

Robinson: S1d.2

A later state of the above design with the seal of the publisher Iba-ya Sensaburô

Scene: The rakan (Buddhist holy man) Nakasaina Sonja (那伽犀那尊者) seated on a rock with a dragon emerging from the bowl in his hands

Publisher: Kaga-ya Kichiemon

Date: c. 1836

Robinson: S1d.3

NOTE: Nagasena is one of the original sixteen disciples of the Buddha

Another state without any green

Scene: The sennin Kikujidô (菊慈童, Ch’u-tsu-tung in Chinese), who is also known as the Chrysanthemum Boy, as an androgynous youth in Chinese clothes seated among chrysanthemums

Publisher: Kaga-ya Kichiemon

Date: c. 1836

Robinson: S1d.4

NOTE: Sennin are Immortals in Taoism. In Buddhist Japan, the term referred to mountain dwelling hermits possessing magical powers. In the privately published supplement, Robinson lists this print as S1d.f (1836-1837), however, this is actually a picture of a mannequin displayed at a chrysanthemum show in October, 1841.

This copy of the above design is by Kuniyoshi’s student Yoshikatsu (signed Isshûsai Yoshikatsu ga, 一勢斎 芳勝 画). It is published by Chikasuke (近助) and can be dated to 1843-1846 by the seal of the censor Hama Yahei. I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image and information.

Scene: Minamoto no Tametomo, who is also known as Chinzei Hachirô Tametomo, seated in full armor with war fan, bow and arrows

Publisher: Tsuru-ya Kiemon

Date: 1837

Robinson: Not listed

NOTE: This is an aka-e (赤絵, red print) which was said to protect from smallpox. It was probably printed during the 1837 smallpox epidemic. The print size is unknown.

Scene: Minamoto no Tametomo, who is also known as Chinzei Hachirô Tametomo, seated in full armor with war fan, bow and arrows

Publisher: No seal

Date: 1837

Robinson: Not listed

Another aka-e of Tametomo courtesy of Michael O’Clair

“Robinson” refers to listing in Kuniyoshi: The Warrior-Prints by Basil William Robinson (Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 1982) and its privately published supplement.

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