Sasaki Moritsuna Asking Fisherman to Reveal the Shallows Where His Troops can Cross and Attack the Taira Forces at Fujito in Bizen Province (Sasaki Moritsuna Bizen no kuni Fujito no watari ni Heigun o osowanto gyojin ni mizu no senshin o tou zu) 1884

This woodblock print, titled "Sasaki Moritsuna Asking Fisherman to Reveal the Shallows Where His Troops can Cross and Attack the Taira Forces at Fujito in Bizen Province," created by Mizuno Toshikata in 1884, depicts a pivotal moment in Japanese history. The print portrays a scene of the Genpei War, a conflict between the Minamoto and Taira clans. Sasaki Moritsuna, a Minamoto general, is seen interrogating a fisherman, urging him to reveal the shallows where his troops can cross and attack the Taira forces. The artist's use of vibrant colors and detailed imagery captures the dramatic tension of the moment. The scene unfolds against a serene backdrop of a coastal landscape, highlighting the contrast between the natural world and the violence of warfare. This piece is an example of ukiyo-e, a genre of Japanese woodblock printing that flourished in the Edo period.