Vrouwelijke krijger Tomoe Gozen in harnas met zwaard op paard

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, rechtsonder, gestempeld: Lugt 1381b

Art Historical Context

This striking color woodcut by Kitao Shigemasa portrays the legendary female warrior Tomoe Gozen, a celebrated figure from 12th-century Japan, riding into battle in full armor with her sword drawn. Created between 1770 and 1780, the tall, narrow format identifies it as a hashira-e, or pillar print, designed to hang on the vertical supports of a traditional Japanese home. Shigemasa, active during the golden age of ukiyo-e, brought a refined elegance to warrior subjects, blending dynamic movement with the delicate linework and vibrant colors typical of woodblock printing. The medium of color woodcut allowed artists like Shigemasa to reach a wide audience with affordable, reproducible images that celebrated both historical heroes and theatrical drama. Tomoe Gozen, known for her exceptional skill on horseback and loyalty during the Genpei War, embodied ideals of courage that resonated in Edo-period Japan. The print’s slim dimensions emphasize her poised figure, drawing the viewer’s eye upward in a graceful, vertical composition. A collector’s stamp in the lower right corner (Lugt 1381b) hints at the work’s journey through private collections, underscoring its enduring appeal as both historical record and artistic treasure.

About the Artist

Kitao Shigemasa · 1739–1820

Kitao Shigemasa (1739–1820), born in the bustling Nihonbashi district of Edo (modern Tokyo), emerged as a pivotal figure in ukiyo-e woodblock printing during Japan's Edo period. The eldest son of the bookseller Suharaya Mohei—from a lineage of publishers—Shigemasa, originally named Kitabatake Tarōkichi, was immersed in the world of printing from youth. Largely self-taught, he later studied under t...