Untitled

Utagawa (Gountei) Sadahide

19th century · Triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper · Asian Art

Described at upper right in a text by journalist Sansantei Arindo (Jōno Saigiku; 1832–1902), this triptych imagines the destruction of Chinese Yuan-dynasty forces by typhoon after their attempted sea invasions in the late thirteenth century. Japanese forces gather on the beach holding banners, one of which features a red circle on a white ground with the Buddhist mantra “Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō” (Glory to the Lotus Sutra). According to legendary early modern accounts, the monk Nichiren created such a banner, which led to divine intervention on Japan’s behalf. In this triptych, three Shinto gods descend from the sky, bringing rain and lightning to destroy the invaders.

Artist

Utagawa (Gountei) Sadahide

Date

19th century

Medium

Triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Bequest of William S. Lieberman, 2005