Identification Of Battle Scene On Kodsuka

[Jesper]

Hello all,

I am trying to identify the battle scene on an ivory kodzuka. Most likely late Edo, unsigned.

I think it may be a scene from the Genpei war, for example from the battle of Dan-no-Ura (1185). Numerous scenes from the battle have been used as motives on Tosogu and woodblock prints, but I haven´t been able to pinpoint this particular scene yet. The motive is ships with opposing samurai archers and a cavalry charge. On the right side two samurai seem to be lying (dead?) on the deck of the ship.

 

Any help is much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

 

Jesper

[Tanto54]

Dear Jesper,

 

This one was difficult, but I think that I have it.  It is the Battle at Akamagaseki between the Heike and Minamoto at Dan-no-ura.  I believe that it depicts the Heike General Noritsune (with the eboshi) grabbing two Minamoto Samurai (one under each arm) before he jumps in the water killing himself and those two Samurai (final act of valor).  Even though he is believed to have perished in this battle (as described above), writers and plays have ignored that "fact" and have included him in later episodes about Yoshitsune's life where he is found posing as a priest (I think that is why he is wearing the eboshi on your Kozuka and those two "dead" Samurai aren't dead - yet...).  Nice Kozuka!

[Jesper]

Dear George,

Thank you very much!

Best regards,

Jesper