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The Former Emperor [Sutoku] from Sanuki Sends His Retainers to Rescue Tametomo

Artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese, 1797–1861)
Title The Former Emperor [Sutoku] from Sanuki Sends His Retainers to Rescue Tametomo (Sanuki no in kenzoku o shite Tametomo o sukuu zu)
Date 1851
Medium Color woodblock print on paper
Dimensions Overall: 30 x 14 1/2 in. (76.2 x 36.8 cm)
Credit Line Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
Accession Number 68.64

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About this Work

This magnificent triptych combines three episodes from the serial novel Tales of the Bow Moon published in 1808. Loosely based on historical events, the hero Minamoto no Tametomo, a famous archer in the Hōgen rebellion of 1156, is caught in a violent storm. His wife (at the far right) throws herself into the sea in an attempt to pacify the storm. Tametomo (at the left) is rescued by the tengu (mythical half-bird, half-man creatures), who have been sent by the former emperor to save him. The tengu also calm the massive fish by flying into its mouth. In the center panel, riding on the back of the giant fish, Tametomo’s loyal retainer holds his master’s infant son.


Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

Publisher Sumiyoshiya Masugoro
Censor Mera

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"The Former Emperor [Sutoku] from Sanuki Sends His Retainers to Rescue Tametomo | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=68.64