Lot Essay
Rosetsu based this portrait on a painting of Yoshiie by Maruyama Okyo. Yoshiie fought victoriously in the northern provinces in the Earlier Nine Years War (1051-62) and again in the Later Three Years War (1083-87) and was appointed governor of Mutsu. He embodies the spirit of the samurai and was a legend in his own time, elevated to almost godlike status in the old chronicles.
Here he wears a typical Heian-period suit of armor. It is essentially a square box of iron platelets that are laced together. The armor, intended for warriors mounted on horseback, was very heavy and unwieldy (especially when wet) and was replaced by a more efficient version by the end of the Kamakura period. Also typical of the Heian period is the blue leather covering the chest to ensure that that the bowstring does not snag on the platelets. Only the archer's left arm needs the protection of chain on silk, with additional lacquered iron sheets. Yoshiie wears bearskin shoes.
The painting was intended for display during the Boy's Day Festival in May. For a suit of armor see lot 72.
Here he wears a typical Heian-period suit of armor. It is essentially a square box of iron platelets that are laced together. The armor, intended for warriors mounted on horseback, was very heavy and unwieldy (especially when wet) and was replaced by a more efficient version by the end of the Kamakura period. Also typical of the Heian period is the blue leather covering the chest to ensure that that the bowstring does not snag on the platelets. Only the archer's left arm needs the protection of chain on silk, with additional lacquered iron sheets. Yoshiie wears bearskin shoes.
The painting was intended for display during the Boy's Day Festival in May. For a suit of armor see lot 72.