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GAKUTEI, Yashima (1786 - 1868)

Twenty-four Generals for the Katsushika Poetry Circle 10th century archer Hidesato and the Dragon King's daughter, Otohime

Signed:                    Gakutei Sealed:                     Sadaoka Date:                         c.1821 Size:                         shikishiban (21. 2 x 18. 7 cms) Two poems by Bunsaisha Fudemaru and Bunshitsuen Hanamori Condition: Very fine impression, fine colors, very good general condition; metallic color pigments, areas of blind-printing. For a larger picture showing metallic silver pigments click "view print" button. ref. no.: # 54 1286 Price:  € 2,350.00

In the tenth century, the Dragon King who lived in Lake Biwa asked Minamoto no Hidesato, a celebrated archer, to kill a giant millipede. The millipede dwelt on Mt. Mikami, a circular hill south-east of the village of Yasu in Shiga Prefecture, and was poisoning the lake so that it was uninhabitable. Hidesato slew the creature and the grateful dragon gave him many gifts, including an inexhaustible bale of rice from which the hero took the name Tawara ('Rice Bale') Tota. In Gakutei's picture, the dragon's daughter, Otohime, points towards the millipede. The poems contain a pun on haru, 'Spring' and 'to draw a bow'. Reference:   Roger Keyes, "The Art of Surimono", London, 1985, vol. I,  p. 85, no. 44.

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