Oda Nobunaga at the Honno-ji Incident - Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

A dramatic woodblock print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi depicting the warlord Oda Nobunaga in the midst of the historic Honno-ji Incident.

This woodblock print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi depicts a dramatic moment from the life of the warlord Oda Nobunaga. It is part of the series 'Mirror of Famous Generals of Great Japan' (Dai Nihon meisho kagami). The composition captures the chaos of the Honno-ji Incident, where Nobunaga was forced to defend himself against a betrayal by his own general, Akechi Mitsuhide.

Yoshitoshi focuses on the physical intensity of the conflict. Nobunaga is shown in a dynamic, athletic pose, wielding a bow as a weapon while a defeated opponent falls into the flames consuming the temple structure behind them. The artist uses strong, angular lines to convey the motion of the struggle. The colour palette relies on the contrast between the deep blue of the warrior's hakama and the warm, aggressive tones of the fire.

As a late master of the Ukiyo-e tradition, Yoshitoshi often explored themes of violence, psychological tension, and historical drama. His work during this period moved away from the static poses found in earlier prints, favouring instead a sense of immediate, visceral action. The inclusion of text in the upper right corner provides historical context for the scene, a common feature in Japanese print series of the Meiji era. The print demonstrates the artist's ability to balance narrative detail with a highly stylised aesthetic, capturing the final moments of a legendary figure in Japanese history.