Woodblock print
Right sheet signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga
Published by Iseya Sanjiro (Eijudo), circa 1830
Censor's seal: kiwame

The scene depicted in this print comes originally from the Heiji monogatari (Tales of Heiji) and involves Minamoto no Yoshihira (1140-1160) (also known as Akugenda Yoshihira), who had been defeated in 1160 in the Heiji rebellion and was decapitated by Nanba Tsunefusa. Yoshihira's last words were "Without fail, I will become a thunderbolt and strike you dead". True to his word, some years later in 1168, Namba accompanies Taira no Kiyomori (1118-1181) on a visit to the Nunobiki waterfall, where suddenly lightning strikes and Namba is killed. This moment is dramatically depicted in this triptych, the falling water of the waterfall behind providing an atmospheric backdrop.

For the same print in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession no. 11.30456-8, go to:
https://www.mfa.org/collections/object/during-the-visit-of-kiyomori-to-the-nunobiki-waterfall-the-ghost-of-akugenta-yoshihira-strikes-down-nanba-jiro-kiyomori-nyudo-nunobiki-no-taki-yuran-akugenta-yoshihira-no-rei-nanba-jiro-o-utsu-495518

Vertical oban triptych:
Left sheet: 35.7 x 24.7 cm. (14 x 9 ¾ in.)
Middle sheet: 35.6 x 24.7 cm. (14 x 9 ¾ in.)
Right sheet: 35.7 x 24.7 cm. (14 x 9 ¾ in.)

Please note this lot is the property of a consumer. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.