Bidspirit auction | ציור מגילה יפני - KAKYO.

ציור מגילה יפני - KAKYO. KUSUNOKI MASASHIGE (No.43) Region of Origin: Japan. Artist: Kakyo. Technique: hand painted on silk. Primary Material of the Mounting: Cloth. Material of the Roller Ends: Wood. Length: 193 cm (76”) Width 56.3 cm (22”) Kusunoki Masashige (1294-1336) was a 14th century samurai who fought for Emperor Go-Daigo in his attempt to wrest ruler ship of Japan away from the Kamakura shogunate. A brilliant tactician and strategist, Kusunoki's cunning defense of two key loyalist fortresses at Akasaka and Chihaya helped allow Go-Daigo to briefly return to power. However, one of the loyalist generals, Ashikaga Takauji, betrayed Go-Daigo and led an army against Kusunoki and the remaining loyalists. Kusunoki suggested to the Emperor that they take refuge on sacred Mount Hiei and allow Takauji to take Kyoto, only to swoop down from the mountain, and with the help of the monks of Mount Hiei, trap Takauji in the city and destroy him. Go-Daigo was unwilling to leave the capital however, and insisted that Kusunoki meet Takauji's superior forces in the field in a pitched battle. Kusunoki, in what would later be viewed as the ultimate act of samurai loyalty, obediently accepted his Emperor's foolish command, left his death poem with his young son and knowingly marched his army into almost certain death. The battle, which took place at Minatogawa in modern-day Kobe, was a disaster. Kusunoki, his army completely surrounded, committed suicide along with 600 of his surviving troops. According to legend, his last words were Shichisei Hokoku! (”Would that I had seven lives to give for my country!”).