19th Century (Edo period) Japanese Hanging Scroll "Masayuki Kusunoki (Shounankou) goes to the Battle"
In the heart of Japan during the late 13th century, there lived a brave and honorable warrior named Masayuki Kusunoki. He was renowned for his unwavering loyalty to the Emperor and his exceptional skill in battle. The world around him was tumultuous, with the threat of the Kamakura shogunate looming over the imperial court. Masayuki believed that true strength lay not only in martial prowess but also in the virtues of compassion and integrity.
One fateful day, as whispers of rebellion echoed through the land, Masayuki received a call to arms from the Emperor. The cry for help resonated deeply within him; he knew that the future of his beloved country rested on their shoulders. Gathering his trusted followers, he set forth on a mission to restore peace and loyalty to the throne. Together, they trained relentlessly, forging unbreakable bonds of camaraderie and trust.
As they journeyed, Masayuki’s reputation spread far and wide. Tales of his courage inspired not just warriors but common folk, who began to rally behind him. They believed that Masayuki was the embodiment of hope, a beacon of light in dark times. He fought fiercely in countless battles, each victory reinforcing his dedication to the Emperor and his cause.
But Masayuki understood that victory in war was not the end; it was the journey and the lives they touched along the way that truly mattered. He often stopped to aid the wounded, offering shelter and food to those affected by the chaos. His compassion earned him the love and respect of the people, solidifying his legacy beyond the battlefield.
As the final confrontation with the shogunate drew near, Masayuki devised a brilliant strategy that would surprise their enemies. His foresight and leadership inspired his troops, instilling a sense of purpose in every heart. The day of the battle arrived, and the air was thick with tension. Masayuki stood resolute, his spirit unyielding, ready to fight for the future of his land.
The clash was fierce, and as arrows rained down and swords clashed, Masayuki fought with unparalleled valor. He became a symbol of unwavering spirit, leading his men with honor even in the face of overwhelming odds. Though they fought bravely, the battle took a heavy toll, and Masayuki knew the path ahead would be fraught with sacrifice.
In the end, despite their valor, Masayuki and his men were outnumbered. Yet, rather than surrendering, he chose to stand and fight to the last. With his final breath, he urged his men to carry on the fight for justice and loyalty to the Emperor. His legacy of bravery, compassion, and unwavering loyalty became a guiding light for generations to come.
Long after his passing, stories of Masayuki Kusunoki were told around campfires and in the hearts of warriors. His spirit lived on, inspiring countless souls to fight not just for power, but for what is right. To this day, he is remembered not only as a warrior but as a paragon of virtue, a hero whose life reminds us that true strength lies in honor, kindness, and the courage to stand for one’s beliefs.
Author
The hanging scroll “Masashige Kusunoki (Shōnankō) Goes to Battle” by Kikuchi Yōsai (1788–1878) is a masterwork of late Edo-period historical painting. Yōsai, famed for his encyclopedic Zenken Kojitsu series of portraits of Japan’s great figures, here turns his disciplined brush to one of the nation’s most venerated heroes. Kusunoki Masashige, posthumously known as Shōnankō, epitomizes the ideals of loyalty, courage, and sacrifice for the imperial cause, his legend embodying the moral and political ethos of medieval Japan.
Kikuchi Yōsai occupies a pivotal position in Japanese art history as one of the last great masters of Edo painting to bridge into the Meiji era. Trained in the Kanō school tradition yet deeply informed by literati and historical studies, Yōsai devoted his life to the accurate visual reconstruction of Japan’s past. His depictions of emperors, statesmen, and warriors were regarded not only as art but also as moral exempla, embodying virtues to inspire a nation in transition.
The subject, Kusunoki Masashige (1294–1336), is one of Japan’s most enduring military heroes. A devout supporter of Emperor Go-Daigo, he became legendary for his brilliant strategies and ultimate self-sacrifice at the Battle of Minatogawa, choosing loyalty to the Emperor over survival. Posthumously venerated as Shōnankō, he came to symbolize the highest ideals of bushidō, unwavering loyalty, courage in adversity, and selfless devotion to the throne. His figure resonated profoundly in the late Edo period, when loyalty to imperial authority was once again a pressing cultural and political theme.
This scroll represents a rare example within Yōsai’s oeuvre: a monumental narrative kakejiku that transcends portraiture to depict martial valor at its height. Yōsai’s rendering is marked by precise, scholarly draughtsmanship, dynamic figural expression, and layered tonal contrasts, uniting historical accuracy with a painterly vigor that captures both the immediacy of battle and the enduring spirit of samurai devotion.
Unlike the printed versions of his historical portraits that circulated widely, fully realized painted scrolls of this subject are exceptionally scarce, making this work a rarity of considerable cultural weight. Its preservation further enhances its significance, with the pigments, brushwork, and compositional integrity remaining strikingly intact.
This scroll stands as both an artwork and a cultural document: a visual testimony to Edo-period national identity, pedagogy, and artistic refinement. Its rarity, subject matter, and superb execution position it not merely as a collector’s treasure but as a work of genuine museum caliber, one that would elevate any distinguished collection or institutional holding in Japanese art.
hanging scroll by Kikuchi Yōsai depicting Shōnankō (Kusunoki Masashige) Going to Battle can indeed qualify as rare and museum level piece.
Authenticity: Bearing Yōsai’s characteristic signature, seal and original paulownia box
Subject Significance: Shōnankō s among the most culturally resonant heroes in Japanese history. A battle motif places this scroll in the rarer, more dramatic category of Yōsai’s oeuvre, beyond the Zenken Kojitsu portraits.
Artistic Merit: the brushwork displays Yōsai’s disciplined, historically faithful line and compositional clarity, it carries strong curatorial weight.
Dimensions
215cm x 52cm
Styles
Japanese
Country of origin
Japan
Period
19th Century (Edo Period)
Item Type
Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
Colour
Green
Condition
The hangin scroll although well preserved, it is showing signs of age. The hangin scroll will be delivered with the original box
19th Century Japanese Hanging Scroll Samurai Shounankou Goes to the Battle"
There is a depth of beauty that photographs alone cannot convey. For the full story of this piece, along with pricing, please reach out. This artwork may be the perfect addition to your collection.
