Samurai Archer Wada Yoshimori — Vintage Musha-e Ukiyo-e — Edo Era Warrior Print

Authentic Japanese woodblock print (ukiyo-e) in the musha-e genre (warrior print) depicting the legendary samurai Wada Yoshimori (和田義盛) — a renowned military commander from the Kamakura period (12th–13th century).

In this dynamic scene, Yoshimori is shown as a mounted archer (yabusame), a popular iconography in Japanese warrior culture and folklore.
This print reflects the heroism, martial spirit (bushidō) and ceremonial horseback archery that Wada Yoshimori is historically associated with.

Artist & Signature
Pseudonym: 周虎斎 (Shūkōsai), an artist working in the stylistic tradition of the Utagawa school.
The round seal (publisher’s mark) and the kanji «参» likely indicate that this is the third sheet from a series.
While not directly by Utagawa Kuniyoshi or Yoshitora, the signature’s use of 虎 (tora, tiger) strongly references the Yoshitora lineage, as the tiger was a recurring symbol in that branch of the Utagawa school.

Historical Context
Genre: Musha-e — warrior prints, popular in late Edo and early Meiji (mid-19th century).
Subject: Wada Yoshimori (1147–1213), a famous general who fought in the Genpei War and the early Kamakura shogunate.
Similar prints of Yoshimori appear in the “Jingi hachigyō no uchi” series by Yoshitora and “Genpei Kassen” series by Kuniyoshi.

Technique & Details
Technique: Multi-color woodblock print with traditional bokashi (gradient) shading.
Paper: Original Japanese washi paper, approx. 21 × 28 cm (8.3 × 11 inches).
Condition: Authentic antique state with visible age-related wear, minor tears, slight fading, and foxing.
This adds to the character of the piece and confirms its period origin.

Collectible Value
A beautiful example of late Edo / early Meiji ukiyo-e that celebrates samurai culture and historical legends. Rare pseudonym signature 周虎斎 makes this a unique find for collectors who love the warrior genre beyond the mainstream Kuniyoshi prints.

Dimensions
Approx. 21 × 28 cm (8.3 × 11 inches)
Unframed, ships flat in archival materials.

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