川中島大合戦組討尽 小山田兵部尉 長尾備中守 (Oyamada Hyoue no zyou versus Nagao Bichu no kami)

川中島大合戦組討尽 小山田兵部尉 長尾備中守 (Oyamada Hyoue no zyou versus Nagao Bichu no kami, from the series One-to-One Combats at the Great Battle of Kawanakajima)

Form: Mokuhan print

Published: 1857

Artist: 歌川芳艶 (Utagawa Yoshitsuya)

Notes: Talking of the background of these two, the two warriors in the battle are Oyamada Hyoue no zyou of the Takeda army and Nagao Bitchunokami of the Uesugi army. This Ukiyo-e is composed in such a way that the warlords stand out with their backs turned, which is a unique feature, and their faces cannot be seen. Oyamada Nobushige betrayed Takeda Shingen's army during Oda Nobunaga's Koshu Conquest in 1582. I felt that showing his back rather than his front expressed his betrayal. Colouring is beautiful since so many colours are used in this print. Small stones on the ground also have colours, even though stones do not naturally have colours like in this print. As military commanders, their armour is beautiful and luxurious. The green colour of the armour worn by Oyamada Hyoue no zyou facing away is particularly vivid. I thought it was the most beautifully depicted.