The mighty champion archer dressed in elaborately decorated armor and seated on a rocky outcrop, defiantly displaying his legendary strength, one hand clutching a fan and the other his bow whilst his adversary attempts in vain to bend it. The finely stained wood of a good reddish color. Signed Masakane to the underside of the oni.
Minamoto no Tametomo (1139-1170) was a samurai who fought in the Hōgen Rebellion of 1156. Tametomo is known in the epic chronicles as a powerful archer and it is said that he once sunk an entire Taira ship with a single arrow by puncturing its hull below the waterline. He fought to defend Shirakawa-den, alongside his father, against the forces of Taira no Kiyomori and Minamoto no Yoshitomo, his brother. The palace was set aflame and Tametomo was forced to flee, later committing seppuku after his banishment. He is quite possibly the first warrior to commit seppuku in the chronicles.
HEIGHT 25 cm, LENGTH 26 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor traces of wear, one small crack to the bowstring. Provenance: British collection.