Ushiwaka and Sōjōbō

Yashima Gakutei, artist

circa 1786–1868, active 1815–1852

Ushiwaka and Sōjōbō, 1820s, Edo period (1600–1868)

Portfolio/Series title: Utsunomiya Kasagi-ren (The Kasagi Circle of Utsunomiya)

Where object was made: Japan

Material/technique: color woodcut

Dimensions:
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 212 x 188 mm
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 83 7/16 x 74 in
Mat Dimensions (Height x Width): 19 x 14 in

Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial

Accession number: 0000.1542

Not on display

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Archive Label:
Tengu could transfer their supernatural powers to those who worhsipped them, exemplified in tales about the twelfth century warrior Yoshitsune, here referred to by his childhood name, Ushiwaka. Ushiwaka is shown meeting with a tengu named Sojobo, who appears as a mountain priest dressed in bright orange robes. The scroll in Ushiwaka's left hand contains secrets of military strategy, symbolizing his completion of martial arts training by the tengu. Ushiwaka eventually marched against rival Taira clan forces, destroying them in the battle of Dannoura in 1185.