A PAINTING OF "DEVIL KIYOMASA" & "KONISHI YUKINAGA" AS THEY SUBDUED THE KOREAN K

[Japan n.d. ca 1830]. A superb scroll painting on silk, 39.5 cm. wide by 233 cm. long, painting size: 29.5 x 185cm., fine mounting, pale silk chrysanthemum patterned border, flawless flawless, excellent pastel colors, excellent condition.RARE! THIS IS A GREAT AND STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL HAND-PAINTED SCROLL * THE SUBJECT: Kato Kiyomasa [1562-1611] was the son of Kiyotada, a relative of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and served him and distinguished himself as one of the seven most famous warriors of that time by his heroic acts at the Battle of Shizugadatake. . During the invasion of Korea, he followed Yukinaga Konishi [?-1600] to Pusan and on to Seoul in 1592 where he fought so fiercely, that the Koreans named him "Devil Kiyomasa." Yukinaga was a Christian warrior & retainer of Hideie Ukita and was appointed Lord of Settsu by Hideyoshi Toyotomi. . Hideyoshi appointed these two to spearhead the Korean invasion, with Yukinaga the commander. The plan was to launch waves of army corps by ship across the 56 mile wide Tsushima straits to Pusan. Some 300,000 fighting men, a truly serious force embarked. The first force of 9200 Samurai armed with matchlocks, bows and swords set out. Upon landing, they rapidly advanced North up the peninsula taking out Korean castles and subduing the regions through power of force. They advanced to Seoul as the armies divided into two parts, each racing to see who would enter Seoul first. . At Cho-ryung pass they united, then both advanced on Seoul & took the castle, as the Korean King and his entourage fled over the river at Imjin where the Koreans up their valiant effort to check the Japanese. This is a most magnificent painting of both Kiyomasa and Yukinaga as each holds a Naginada, while the Korean King prepares to rides a black steed effecting his escape while being protected by a retainer who also holds an elaborate Naganada with the Imperial banner. * THE ARTIST AND PAINTING SCHOOL: . This work was done in the Utagawa school style and was likely painted by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, or one of his star pupils. It was painted in the "Ukiyo-e" style, similar to that of a color woodblock print. . It is painted in a firm, solid, confident strong hand, this work is executed with most impressive brush strokes, style & manner, expressing the Bushido spirit celebrating triumph over the Koreans. Marvelous detail to the whole work renders this a major piece. Skillfully drawn & painted on silk which is the most difficult medium to control ink flow, this work is flawless and a fine example worthy of display in any Tokunoma. . The top is blue paper with black Sumi inscription naming the heroes and citing the Korean Battle. *** REFERENCE: For biographical details see JAPAN BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA & WHO'S WHO pp.592, 689-90. . F. Brinkley: A HISTORY OF THE JAPANESE PEOPLE pp.509-520. *** .