The death of Kusunoki Masatsura
A pupil of Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861), Yoshitzuya specialised in pictures of warriors and designs for tattooing.
Kusunoki Masatsura was a famous warrior who defended the imperial line from the Ashikaga rebels in the early 14th century.
After some preliminary successes, Masatsura found himself surrounded by overwhelming numbers. At the battle of Shijo-nawate in the province of Kawachi in 1348, the entire Kusunoki force was killed.
The main character Kusunoki Masatsura (in the centre panel) and two of his retainers are shown as they desperately battle a rain of arrows.
