Utagawa Kuniteru II (fl. 1850-1870) Tamecho Ichidaiki, Samurai Chronicle Illustrated Woodblock Books

Utagawa Kuniteru II (active ca. 1850-1870)
Tamecho Ichidaiki, Samurai Chronicle of Taira no Tamecho, Late Edo to Early Meiji Period
A pair of Japanese woodblock-printed ehon volumes illustrating the legendary exploits of the samurai hero Taira no Tamechō. The covers show a bijin and an armored warrior, vividly hand-colored in red and teal, while the interiors contain dynamic black-and-white woodcut scenes of mounted archers, combat, and courtly life, accompanied by vertical Japanese text.
Details
Artist: Utagawa Kuniteru II fl. 1850-1870)
Title: Tamechō Ichidaiki – Chronicle of Taira no Tamechō
Period: Late Edo to Early Meiji (ca. 1860-1870)
Medium: Woodblock printing on washi paper, hand-colored covers
Dimensions: Each approx. 12 × 18 cm; 2 vols.
Condition: Expected wear, light soiling and creases; colors well preserved
Importance
A striking samurai-themed musha-e book series by a member of the Utagawa school, combining heroic narrative with refined linework and expressive movement. These illustrated volumes capture the popular warrior epics of the late Edo period, bridging ukiyo print design and early Meiji pictorial storytelling.