Takeda_Art

Oda Nobunaga (織田信長), a famous samurai leader and warrior in Sengoku Period. The Great Devil of the 6th Heaven (第六天魔王) is the epithet given to Nobunaga due to his hostility against the Buddhist in Japan.

Uesugi Kenshin (上杉謙信), a famous samurai leader and warrior in Sengoku Period. The Dragon of Echigo (越後の龍) is the epithet given to Uesugin Kenshin because of his fearsome skills in the martial arts displayed on the battlefield.

Takeda Shingen (武田信玄), a famous samurai in sengoku jidai of Japan. The Tiger of Kai (甲斐の虎) is the epithet given to Takeda Shingen for his martial prowess on the battlefield.

Uesugi Kenshin (上杉謙信), a famous samurai leader and warrior in Sengoku Period. God of War (軍神) is the praise given to Kenshin for his honourable conduct and military expertise. In the background is the statue samurai signature of Kenshin.

Takeda Shingen (武田信玄), a famous samurai in sengoku jidai of Japan. Furinkazan (風林火山), is the battle standard used by Takeda Shingen, meaning “as swift as wind, as gentle as forest, as fierce as fire, as unshakable as mountain.” , quoted from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. In the background is the armor of Takeda Shingen, and kamon of Takeda Clan.

Oda Nobunaga (織田信長), a famous samurai in sengoku jidai that are very close to unifying all Japan. Tenkafubu (天下布武), meaning rule the world by force. Behind are the Tenkafubu seal, the kamon of Oda clan and “Eirakusen” on Oda flag.

Ukiyo-e of Morimoto Gidayu (森本義太夫), by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, master of ukiyo-e style of Japanese woodblock prints, restored by Takeda Art. Depicting Morimoto wearing full armor, gazing at the enemy arrow which has pierced his left arm. Behind is the kamon of Morimoto family, with calligraphy kanji of Morimoto Gidayu, signature and seal of Kuniyoshi.

Ukiyo-e of Kobayakawa Takakage (小早川隆景), by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, master of ukiyo-e style of Japanese woodblock prints, restored by Takeda Art. Depicting Takakage wearing his official cloak over his samurai's armor. Behind is the kamon of Kobayakawa family, signature and seal of Kuniyoshi.

Ukiyo-e of Takenaka Shigeharu (竹中重治), also known as Hanbei (半兵衛), by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, master of ukiyo-e style of Japanese woodblock prints, restored by Takeda Art. Depicting Shigeharu standing and holding katana in hand. Behind is the kamon of Takenaka Shigeharu, signature and seal of Kuniyoshi.

Ukiyo-e of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, master of ukiyo-e style of Japanese woodblock prints, restored by Takeda Art. Depicting Hideyoshi holding a melon in his left hand. Behind is the kamon of Toyotomi clan, with calligraphy kanji of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, signature and seal of Kuniyoshi.

Ukiyo-e of Saito Dosan (斎藤道三) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, master of ukiyo-e style of Japanese woodblock prints, restored by Takeda Art. Depicting Dosan spying on Oda Nobunga in distance, to dertermine whether Nobunaga will make an acceptable son-in-law. Behind is the kamon of Saito clan, with calligraphy kanji of Saito Dosan, signature and seal of Kuniyoshi.

Ukiyo-e of Oda Nobutaka (織田信孝) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, master of ukiyo-e style of Japanese woodblock prints, restored by Takeda Art. Depicting Nobutaka sitting on a campstool covered with a fur rug, wearing armor, with his personal banner behind him. Behind is the kamon of Oda clan, with calligraphy kanji of Oda Nobutaka, signature and seal of Kuniyoshi.

Ukiyo-e of Akechi Mitsuhide (明智光秀) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, master of ukiyo-e style of Japanese woodblock prints, restored by Takeda Art. Depicting Mitsuhide in elegant accoutrements, with a book writen about the consequences of a ruler's disregard of his subjects, and his katana behind him. Behind is the kamon of Akechi clan, with calligraphy kanji of Akechi Mitsuhide, signature and seal of Kuniyoshi.

Ukiyo-e of Shibata Katsuie (柴田勝家) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, master of ukiyo-e style of Japanese woodblock prints, restored by Takeda Art. Depicting Katsuie destroying his own troops water vessel to inspire the army before battle. Behind is the kamon of 柴田 勝家 clan, with calligraphy kanji of Shibata Katsuie, signature and seal of Kuniyoshi.

Ukiyo-e of Mori Ranmaru (森蘭丸) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, master of ukiyo-e style of Japanese woodblock prints, restored by Takeda Art. Depicting Ranmaru engaging here with his opponent Akechi Mitsuhide inside a castle, by strucking him with the metal fan he holds in his right hand. Behind is the kamon of Mori clan, with calligraphy kanji of Mori Ranmaru, signature and seal of Kuniyoshi.

Ukiyo-e of Oda Nobunaga (織田信長) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, master of ukiyo-e style of Japanese woodblock prints, restored by Takeda Art. Depicting Nobunaga tearing down a tent curtain decorated with the crest of his treacerous vassal Akechi Mitsuhide. Behind is the kamon of Oda clan, with calligraphy kanji of Oda Nobunaga, signature and seal of Kuniyoshi.

Muneshige "宗茂", Tachibana Muneshige "立花宗茂", a Japanese samurai during the Azuchi-Momoyama period and an Edo-period daimyo. He was the eldest biological son of Takahashi Shigetane, a retainer of Otomo clan, then adopted by Tachibana Dosetsu, head of Tachibana Clan, and later married his daughter Tachibana Ginchiyo, succeeding the Tachibana clan and became a daimyo. The Unmatched Warrior of the West (西國無雙) is the praise given to Tadakatsu by Toyotomi Hideyoshi after witnessing his battle. In the background is kamon of Tachibana clan, Gion Mamori (祇園守) or "Gion Amulet".

Motochika “元親”, Chosokabe Motochika “長宗我部元親”, the twentieth leader of Chosokabe clan, best known in history for conquering the entire Shikoku island with his own resources, often praised as the most capable daimyo of the entire island. The Overlord of Southern Sea (南海覇主) is referring to his success in conquering the whole Shikoku, which is also one of the Seven Circuits in Japan at the time, the Nankaido (Southern sea circuit). In the background is kamon of Chosokabe Clan, Nanatsu Katabami (七つ酢漿草) or “Seven leaf creeping woodsorrel”.

Tadakatsu “忠勝”, Honda Tadakatsu “本多忠勝”, a Japanese samurai, general, and later daimyo of the late Sengoku through early Edo periods, who served Tokugawa Ieyasu. Honda Tadakatsu was one of the Tokugawa Four Heavenly Kings, and has been regarded as one of the finest warrior at the time. The Unmatched Warrior of the East (東國無雙) is the praise given to Tadakatsu by Toyotomi Hideyoshi after witnessing his battle. In the background is kamon of Honda clan “Honda tachi aoi” (本多立ち葵).

Masamune “政宗”, Date Masamune “伊達政宗”, a regional ruler of Japan’s Azuchi – Momoyama period through early Edo period. In spite of facing an infamously traumatizing childhood, he rose to prominence as the most dominate ruling power in ōshū. He is reputed as one of the wisest figures of the time era, biting back his ambitions to stay as one of the wealthiest independent rulers of his time. 独眼竜: The One-Eyed Dragon, is the moniker of Masamume due to his missing right eye. In the background is kamon of Date clan “Take ni Suzume”.

Yukimura “幸村”, Sanada Yukimura “真田幸村”, actual name Sanada Nobushige, Nobushige was one of the greatest samurai of the Sengoku Period, known as the “Crimson Demon of War” for his blood red banners and red armour, he was also recognized as “Japan Finest Warrior” and even the “Last Sengoku Hero” by his peers. In the background is kamon of Sanada clan “Rokumonsen”.

Hanzo “半蔵”, Hattori Hanzo “服部半蔵”, also known as Hattori Masanari or Hattori Masashige, Hanzo was a famous samurai of the Sengoku era, credited with saving the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu and then helping him to become the ruler of united Japan. Due to the amount of Iga ninja under his lead, Hanzo has been regarded as one of the most representative figures of the ninja by later generation and pop culture. Shadow of Iga “伊賀の影”, was refers to his position as the leader of Iga ninja. In the background is kamon of Hattori clan “Kuruma ni Yahazu”.

Kiyomori “清盛”, Taira Kiyomori (平清盛) was the head of Taira clan, a military leader of the late Heian period of Japan. He established the first samurai-dominated administrative government in the history of Japan. Pillars of Taira clan “平氏の棟梁”, was referring to his position of clan leader. In the background is kamon of Taira clan, Ageha-cho (揚羽蝶) or “Swallowtail Butterfly”.

Benkei “弁慶”, Musashibo Benkei (武蔵坊弁慶), a Japanese warrior monk who lived in the latter years of the Heian Period, commonly depicted as a man of great strength and loyalty, and a popular subject of Japanese folklore. Benkei led a varied life, first becoming a monk, then a mountain ascetic, and then a rogue warrior, later came to respect and serve the famous warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune. Demon alike warrior monk “鬼若僧兵”, Oniwaka (鬼若, demon alike) was referring to his appearance when he was born with wild hair and long teeth. In the background is kamon of Minamoto clan, Sasa Rindo (笹竜胆) or “Gentiana flowers upon bamboo”.

Yoshitsune “義経”, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, one of the greatest and the most popular warriors in the late Heian and early Kamakura periods, and also considered as one of the most famous samurai fighters in the history of Japan. Kamakura God of War “鎌倉戰神” is the praise given to Yoshitsune for his great achievement in military and bravery in battle. In the background is kamon of Minamoto clan, Sasa Rindo (笹竜胆) or “Gentiana flowers upon bamboo”.

Kenshin "謙信", Uesugi Kenshin, a famous samurai in sengoku period, and Dragon of Echigo "越後の龍" is the praise given to Uesugi Kenshin for his martial prowess on the battlefield, writen in calligraphy style. In the background is kamon of Uesugi "Uesugi Sasa(Uesugi Bamboo)".

Shingen "武田信玄", Takeda Shingen, a famous samurai in sengoku period, and Tiger of Kai "甲斐の虎" is the praise given to Takeda Shingen for his martial prowess on the battlefield, writen in calligraphy style. In the background is kamon of Takeda "Takeda Bishi".

Nobunaga "信長", Oda Nobunaga, a famous samurai in sengoku period, and Tenkafubu "天下布武" which mean rule the world by force quoted by Nobunaga, writen in calligraphy style. In the background is kamon of Oda clan "Oda Mokou".

Uesugi Kenshin (上杉謙信) was a daimyo who was born as Nagao Kagetora, and after the adoption into the Uesugi clan, ruled Echigo Province in the Sengoku period of Japan. Kenshin is famed for his honourable conduct, his military expertise, a long-standing rivalry with Takeda Shingen, and his belief in the Buddhist god of war - Bishamonten. The Dragon of Echigo (越後の龍) is the nickname given to Uesugin Kenshin because of his fearsome skills in the martial arts displayed on the battlefield.

片倉景綱: Katakura Kagetsuna, or more commonly, as Katakura Kojuro (小十朗) was a Japanese samurai of the Katakura clan during the late Sengoku period, together with Oniniwa Tsunamoto and Date Shigezane, Kagetsuna was known as one of the "Three Great Men of the Date Clan". 天下の陪臣: Vassal of the World, meaning the top retainer under the ruler, was the praise given to both Kagetsuna who served the Date clan; and Naoe Kanetsugu who served the Uesugi clan, for their wisdom and bravery in both administrative duty and military campaign. In the background is the header board of Kagetsuna's Crab, and Kamon of Katakura clan, Kuyo (九曜) or "Nine Sun".

Takeda Shingen (武田信玄) was a pre-eminent daimyo in feudal Japan with exceptional military prestige in the late stage of the Sengoku period. During his conquests in the eastern regions of Japan, he clashed with several prominent historical figures. After his death, Shingen has been romanticized as a masterful strategist and a thorough study of Sun Tzu, even going as far to adopt the Furinkazan as his banner. The Tiger of Kai (甲斐の虎) is the nickname given to Takeda Shingen for his martial prowess on the battlefield.

武田信玄: Takeda Shingen, was a pre-eminent daimyo in feudal Japan with exceptional military prestige in the late stage of the Sengoku period. 甲斐の虎: "The Tiger of Kai" is the nickname given to Takeda Shingen for his martial prowess on the battlefield.

最上義光: Mogami Yoshiaki, 羽州之狐: The Fox of Ushu, in the background is the kamon (family crest) of Mogami clan, Futatsu Hikaryo (二つ引両) or "Double line", and the armor of Yoshiaki.

井伊直政: Ii Naomasa, 赤鬼: Akaoni, literally "Red Devil", in the background is the kamon (family crest) of Ii, Maru ni tachibana (丸に橘) or "citrus Tachibana in a circle", and the statue of Naomasa in Hakone.

Date Masamune (伊達政宗) was a regional ruler of Japan’s Azuchi – Momoyama period through early Edo period. Heir to a long line of powerful daimyos in the Tohoku region, he went on to found the modern-day city of Sendai. In spite of facing an infamously traumatizing childhood, he rose to prominence as the most dominate ruling power in Oshu. He is reputed as one of the wisest figures of the time era, biting back his ambitions to stay as one of the wealthiest independent rulers of his time. The One Eyed Dragon of Oshu (奥州独眼竜), is the nickname of Masamume due to his missing right eye.

Sanda Yukimura (真田幸村), or actual name Sanada Nobushige, was a Japanese samurai warrior of the Sengoku period. He was especially known as the leading general on the defending side of the Siege of Osaka. He earned the nickname of Japan’s Finest Warrior (日本一の兵) for his bravery against the larger army of Tokugawa.