The artwork, titled “The Death of Nitta Yoshioki at the Yaguchi Ferry,” was created by the esteemed artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. This piece belongs to the Ukiyo-e art movement and falls under the genre of battle painting.
In the artwork, a dramatic and intense scene is vividly rendered wherein the samurai Nitta Yoshioki meets his end at the Yaguchi ferry. The composition is a masterful depiction of action and emotion, with Yoshioki, clad in ornate and meticulously detailed armor, poised at the center of a chaotic melee. Arrows fly through the air, some having already struck Yoshioki, symbolizing the ferocity of the conflict. The backdrop of turbulent water and a partially visible boat emphasizes the perilous situation. The stylized waves in shades of deep blue and the striking colors of the samurai’s attire evoke a sense of movement and urgency. Kuniyoshi’s use of bold lines and saturated colors is characteristic of the Ukiyo-e style, creating a powerful and dynamic representation of this historical event.
