Catalog record · 目録番号 39555
Poem by Retired Emperor Go-Toba
Catalog note / 解説
Emperor Go-Toba, in full court robes, beats out the rudimentary form (<i>sunobe</i>) of a new sword blade in the humble surroundings of a forge with cracked mud walls. This woodblock print of about 1840 is from the series ‘Hyakunin Isshu’ by Utagawa Kuniyoshi. In 1221, the cloistered Emperor Go-Toba attempted to overthrow the new military government but was defeated and sent into exile on the island of Oki. From this position he was able to concentrate on his great love of swords, their manufacture and history. From his exile he summoned eminent swordsmiths, together with the necessary professional sword polishers, to visit him on Oki for a fixed period during the year. He gave them the tit…
Image record / 画像情報
VAM · ca. 1840-42 · vam
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