Picture of Minamoto no Yoritomo's Hunt on the Slopes of Mount Fuji - Utagawa Yoshifuji

A dynamic woodblock triptych by Utagawa Yoshifuji depicting the historic 1193 hunting expedition of Minamoto no Yoritomo at the base of Mount Fuji.

This woodblock print by Utagawa Yoshifuji depicts the legendary Fuji no Makigari, a massive hunting event organised by the shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1193. The composition spans three panels, a format known as oban tate-e triptych, which allows for a wide narrative scope. In the centre, a large wild boar dominates the action, surrounded by samurai on horseback and hunting dogs. The figures are rendered with the bold outlines and flat colour planes characteristic of the Ukiyo-e tradition.

Mount Fuji rises in the background, providing a recognisable geographical anchor for the scene. Yoshifuji, a student of Utagawa Kuniyoshi, employs the dramatic energy common in musha-e, or warrior prints. The scene captures the chaos of the hunt, with horses rearing and archers aiming their bows. The artist uses a palette of indigo, ochre, and muted greens to define the terrain and the garments of the warriors. Cartouches containing text are placed throughout the image, identifying the various historical figures participating in the event.

This print reflects the mid-19th-century interest in historical themes and military prowess. The attention to detail in the armour and the dynamic poses of the animals demonstrate the technical skill required for multi-block printing. The work functions as both a historical record and an action-oriented narrative, typical of the popular prints produced in Edo during this period. The use of perspective is flattened, prioritising the arrangement of figures across the three sheets to create a sense of scale and movement. This print offers a view into the aesthetic preferences of the era, where tales of the Kamakura period were frequently adapted for a contemporary audience.