[Öiso-no-Maihime telling the Soga Brothers where Suketsune is]

Rare c.19th colour woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige of a woman named Oiso-no-Maihime (also known as Oiso-no-Tora) telling the Soga brothers, Juro and Goro, where to find Suketsune.

The story recounts the revenge exacted by the Soga brothers during the Kamakura period (12th–14th centuries), a celebrated episode commonly known as Soga no Taimen (“The Confrontation of the Soga”) or simply Taimen (“The Confrontation”). The narrative follows the brothers Jūrō and Gorō Soga, whose father was slain by Kudō Suketsune. Seeking vengeance, they visit Kudō’s residence at New Year and confront him directly. Kudō, however, requests that his life be spared until he has completed his duties as commander of the grand hunt held at the foot of Mount Fuji. After enduring many hardships, the Soga brothers ultimately fulfil their vow by killing their father’s enemy. In the ensuing conflict, the elder brother Jūrō is slain, while Gorō is captured and executed. The tale of their loyalty and vengeance was later immortalised in Soga Monogatari (“The Tale of the Soga”), a popular narrative that found enduring resonance among the common people. The print shows the woman pointing the way for the brothers, who are dressed for their mission, to locate Suketsune’s mansion during the Fuji no Makigari hunting event.  Oiso-no-Maihime’s role: She is a pivotal figure who guides the Soga brothers to their target. The scene emphasises the moment of crucial information being passed from one character to another.  The context: The action is set against the backdrop of the grand hunting party at Mt. Fuji, where the brothers had been waiting for their chance for revenge.

From: Hiroshige, U. Soga-monogatari zu-e (Illustrated Tale of the Soga Brothers)

Publisher: Watanabe Shoemon
Date: 1843 or 1846
Censor seal: 1843 V -Watari- (Tenpo 14 ) or  1846 V-Watari- (Koka 3)