Art Collection: The Battle of Lances

Since I was a teenager, and earned enough money to buy things on my
own I have collected Japanese Woodblock Prints.

When I was a cop, and 22 years old, I really took advantage of my
income and the fact I lived at home and didn't have any bills. I was
paid every two weeks, and once a month I bought a print.

I always bought what I liked, never concerned with resale value or who
the artist was. It was the print I was interested in, and as long as
it was original (or first publication) that's all that mattered.

That changed when I got married, and had kids. I could no longer buy
any artwork.

My oldest son is nineteen now, and after all these years I'm finally
able to buy prints again. Not like before, I'll never have so much
"play money," but every now and then.

Because my finances are limited today, I would rather buy one print I
think is outstanding than a few I semi-enjoy. I've also limited my
purchases to prints that depict Japanese polearms, or doshin (Japanese
police).

Below is one of my recent purchases:

Title: The Battle of Lances
Artist: Kuniteru Utagawa 1808-1876
Date: 1865
Seal: Toshidama
Publisher: Daikokuya Heikichi
Format: 3 Oban tate'e
Size: 28,65 x 14.0 inches
Story: "Taiheki; Shizukatake Taisen no Zu" Battle of the lances at
Shizukatake (1583) in Shiga prefecture which is chronicled in the
"Taiheiki.

I was first drawn to this print because the combatants are using yari
(spears). The fact that they are using yari on horseback made the
print even more interesting and desirable.

I also like the depiction of the life and death struggle on the lower
left side of the print. Two samurai locked in mortal combat, using
short swords: no telling who will win. That's left to the
imagination.

Also on the upper left panel is lancer in a classical defensive pose,
fending off numerous attackers. What is even more interesting is that
he using two yari at the same time. That would require some skill,
something he obviously has since he is stabbing one subject while
fending off others.

Overall I was very happy with this print and I can't wait to frame it,
and hang it in the school.

(I would really appreciate any further information on this print. If
you know who is depicted, or more of the story I would really
appreciate hearing from you.)