Utagawa Sadahide

1807 ~ 1873

Utagawa Sadahide, born Kenjiro Hashimoto, was a renowned ukiyo-e artist during the Edo period and one of Kunisada`s most talented pupils.
Working between Edo and Yokohama, Sadahide became known for his prints capturing the urban transformation of Edo, historical events such as the arrival of Commodore Perry, and beautiful portraits of women (bijin-ga. His compositional style was heavily influenced by Western art, often using extensive perspectives and sometimes depicting subjects from a bird`s-eye view.
During the period of Japan`s opening to international trade, following the Convention of Kanagawa in 1854 and the Ansei Treaties of 1858, Sadahide produced numerous works known as Yokohama-e, depicting Westerners and scenes of modern industry in Yokohama. These prints illustrated curious machines and imported fashions entering Japan, as well as imagined renderings of the foreigners homelands.
He is also remembered for his guidebooks on Yokohama, aimed at teaching the habits of foreign residents and dispelling myths about them, while also showing the Japanese people what they could learn from Western customs. His prints, sold by booksellers and vendors, displayed an effective use of Western perspective and chiaroscuro.
In 1866, Sadahide was one of eleven Japanese printmakers who exhibited their work at the Paris Universal Exposition, where he received the Légion d`Honneur. He was also part of the ukiyo-e delegation of the Tokugawa Shogun at the same exposition, solidifying his reputation as one of the best artists in Japan and showcasing his work to an international audience.

Artwork Description
Sanada Gentazaemon and Kakei Jūbei Torahide
Edo
Two warriors of the warring state era (sengoku jidai): In foreground, holding a spear, stands Sanada Gentazaemon while in background sits Kakei Jūbei Torahide Gentazaemon, also known as Sanada Nobutsuna, born in the Matsuo castle as the eldest son of Sanada Yukitaka, who actively participated in battles siding with Takeda Shingen.
His early campaigns are believed to have taken place during the Siege of Toishi. Excelling in surprise attack tactics, he served as the overall commander in the Battle of Mikatagahara.
His father pledged allegiance to Takeda Shingen as he reached adulthood. During his coming-of-age ceremony, Takeda Shingen granted him the character "shin" from his own name.
He is remembered as one of Takeda Shingen`s twenty-four generals.
During the Battle of Nagashino in 1575, he fought courageously alongside his brother Masateru leading over 200 warriors to facilitate Katsuyori`s escape, ultimately losing his life.
Notably, one of his nephews, Sanada Yukimura, went on to become one of the most renowned samurai of that era.
Kakei Torahide was initially little more than a simple ashigaru, a low-ranking soldier in the service of the Sanada clan. However, he gained his promotion to the rank of samurai through a courageous act where he crossed the enemy lines and broke through a castle gate using a log.
He became a loyal retainer of Sanada Yukitaka and Sanada Masayuki. This elevated him to a significant vassal within the Sanada clan. Following in the footsteps He appears to have served as an attendant to Sanada Yukimura and became one of the oldest members among his vassals.
USD$ 124.00