About This Print
Print number 廿三 [23]1 in the series Instructive Models of Lofty Ambition picturing the fourteenth-century samurai and military leader Nawa Nagatoshi (d. 1336) weeping at the sight of the ruined imperial palace of the Emperor Go-Daigo after the attack by the Hojo forces.The artist Mizuno Toshikata contributed 16 prints to this series.
1 Numbering of the prints was haphazard during the production of the series. Print numbers were sometimes inadvertently omitted; some prints in the series were never assigned numbers and a few of the same numbers appear on different prints.
Nawa Nagatoshi (d. 1336) and Emperor Go Daigo (1288-1339)
Source: Indianapolis Museum of Art http://collection.imamuseum.org/artwork/70871/"From the mid-12th century, with the rise of the Taira (Heike), Minamoto (Genji), and Hojo clans, the warrior class gradually usurped power from the imperial throne. In 1331, when Emperor Go-Daigo attempted to free the throne from Hojo control, the Hojo sent an army against the imperial palace at Kyoto, captured Go-Daigo, exiled him to Oki Island, and set up a new puppet emperor. But Go-Daigo escaped and found refuge with Nawa Nagatoshi, who raised troops to safeguard him. Nagatoshi is shown weeping at the sight of the ruined imperial palace after the attack by the Hojo forces. This print was executed during the Meiji period, when power was once again returned to the emperor after nearly 700 years. As a supporter of the emperor, Nawa Nagatoshi was looked upon as a paragon of loyalty."
Source: with thanks to Yajifun http://yajifun.tumblr.com/
23 Nawa Nagatoshi 名和長年
教導立志基 廿三 名和長年 水野年方 1888年8月
“本 村上氏 世々伯耆の名和に居る 承久の役 行秋?なる者あり 孫 行高と官軍に従ふ 事敗れ邑を奪ハる 行高に四子有りて皆武幹 帝名和の湊に至り忠顕をして塗人?に豪族倚るべき者を問ふ 答ふるに長高を以てす 忠顕直に入り詔を傳（伝）ふ 長高未答ざるに長重進て曰く 人の重ずる所ハ名のみ成否となく皆以て大名を天下に揚るに足る と 兄弟意を決し帝を船上山に奉ず 名和兄弟南廷の忠臣たる事ハ普（あまね）く諸子の知る所故に記せず 茲（こ）ハ長年一度宮闕を拜（拝）し行んと欲し賊軍と十七戰して大内に至り毀れたる宮殿に向て伏し流涕し終に涙を揮て行宮に赴く さちのぶ 述”
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Variant Printing
About The Series "Kyōdō risshi no motoi"
Notes:1. This series is variously translated as "Instructive Models of Lofty Ambition," "Foundations of Learning and Achievement," "Foundation of Instruction and Perseverance," "Self-Made Men Worthy of Emulation," "Paragons of Instruction and Success," "Moral of Success," "Examples of Self-Made Leaders," and "Instruction in the Fundamentals of Success." The title in Japanese is sometimes seen as "Kyōdō risshiki or "Kyōdō risshi no moto," in addition to the most commonly seen transliteration of "Kyōdō risshi no motoi".2. For a complete listing of all the prints in the series and additional information please see the article on this site titled Instructive Models of Lofty Ambition.
This series ran between October 1885 and November 1890 and featured a long list of heroes and heroines, from antiquity to contemporary times, who were regarded as standards of moral leadership and self-realization.
This series ran between October 1885 and November 1890 and featured a long list of heroes and heroines, from antiquity to contemporary times, who were regarded as standards of moral leadership and self-realization.
Source: Kiyochika Artist of Meiji Japan, Henry D. Smith II, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1988, p. 74-75; original research and as footnoted.
This series of 58 prints,1 plus a table of contents sheet (目録), were originally published between October 1885 and November 1890 by the Tokyo publisher Matsuki Heikichi 松木平吉.2 The table of contents sheet issued by the publisher states that "fifty prints make up the complete set (五十番揃)". Three prints not in the initial release were added over the five year publication period, as were five redesigns of original prints, eventually increasing the total print count to 58. The seven artists contributing prints were Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915) [20 prints], Mizuno Toshikata (1866-1908) [16 prints], Inoue Tankei (Yasuji) (1864-1889) [13 prints], Taiso (Tsukioka) Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) [5 prints], Yōshū Chikanobu (1838-1912) [2 prints], Toyohara Kunichika (1835–1900) [1 print], and Hachisuka (Utagawa) Kuniaki II (1835-1888) [1 print]. All the artists, with the exception of Yōshū Chikanobu, are listed in the top scroll of the table of contents sheet. Various colors (including blue, blue/green, and tan/brown) were used for the decorative border, and in 1902 the series was re-issued by Matsuki without borders.
Brief texts contained within a scroll-like cartouche appearing on each print provide historical details. The scroll composer's name is given at the end of the scroll text. The “lofty ambition” of the title is a Confucian concept, originally from Mencius, meaning “righteous determination that would inspire others.” The market for the series probably included former samurai, ambitious youth, and conservative intellectuals.
"[W]hen it was completed in 1890 the publisher was singled out for special recognition by the government for having sponsored such noble subject matter."3
Source: Kiyochika Artist of Meiji Japan, Henry D. Smith II, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1988, p. 74-75; original research and as footnoted.
This series of 58 prints,1 plus a table of contents sheet (目録), were originally published between October 1885 and November 1890 by the Tokyo publisher Matsuki Heikichi 松木平吉.2 The table of contents sheet issued by the publisher states that "fifty prints make up the complete set (五十番揃)". Three prints not in the initial release were added over the five year publication period, as were five redesigns of original prints, eventually increasing the total print count to 58. The seven artists contributing prints were Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915) [20 prints], Mizuno Toshikata (1866-1908) [16 prints], Inoue Tankei (Yasuji) (1864-1889) [13 prints], Taiso (Tsukioka) Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) [5 prints], Yōshū Chikanobu (1838-1912) [2 prints], Toyohara Kunichika (1835–1900) [1 print], and Hachisuka (Utagawa) Kuniaki II (1835-1888) [1 print]. All the artists, with the exception of Yōshū Chikanobu, are listed in the top scroll of the table of contents sheet. Various colors (including blue, blue/green, and tan/brown) were used for the decorative border, and in 1902 the series was re-issued by Matsuki without borders.
This series of 58 prints,1 plus a table of contents sheet (目録), were originally published between October 1885 and November 1890 by the Tokyo publisher Matsuki Heikichi 松木平吉.2 The table of contents sheet issued by the publisher states that "fifty prints make up the complete set (五十番揃)". Three prints not in the initial release were added over the five year publication period, as were five redesigns of original prints, eventually increasing the total print count to 58. The seven artists contributing prints were Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915) [20 prints], Mizuno Toshikata (1866-1908) [16 prints], Inoue Tankei (Yasuji) (1864-1889) [13 prints], Taiso (Tsukioka) Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) [5 prints], Yōshū Chikanobu (1838-1912) [2 prints], Toyohara Kunichika (1835–1900) [1 print], and Hachisuka (Utagawa) Kuniaki II (1835-1888) [1 print]. All the artists, with the exception of Yōshū Chikanobu, are listed in the top scroll of the table of contents sheet. Various colors (including blue, blue/green, and tan/brown) were used for the decorative border, and in 1902 the series was re-issued by Matsuki without borders.
Brief texts contained within a scroll-like cartouche appearing on each print provide historical details. The scroll composer's name is given at the end of the scroll text. The “lofty ambition” of the title is a Confucian concept, originally from Mencius, meaning “righteous determination that would inspire others.” The market for the series probably included former samurai, ambitious youth, and conservative intellectuals.
"[W]hen it was completed in 1890 the publisher was singled out for special recognition by the government for having sponsored such noble subject matter."3
1 The Tokyo Metropolitan Library online collection shows 50 prints and a Table of Contents sheet. The Table of Contents lists the titles of 50 prints. Smith in Kiyochika Artist of Meiji Japan identified 52 prints. I have identified 58 prints from this series including five prints (Ikina, Michizane Sugiwara, Kesa Gozen, Soga Brothers and Hokiichi Hanawa) that were re-designed and re-printed, likely due to damaged or lost blocks.
2 Robert Schaap notes in Appendix II, p. 166 of Yoshitoshi, Masterpieces from the Ed Freis Collection, Chris Uhlenbeck and Amy Reigle Newland, Hotei Publishing, 2011 that the series originally appeared as newspaper supplements.
3 The World of the Meiji Print: Impressions of a New Civilization, Julia Meech-Pekarik, Weatherhill, 1986, p. 122.
1 The Tokyo Metropolitan Library online collection shows 50 prints and a Table of Contents sheet. The Table of Contents lists the titles of 50 prints. Smith in Kiyochika Artist of Meiji Japan identified 52 prints. I have identified 58 prints from this series including five prints (Ikina, Michizane Sugiwara, Kesa Gozen, Soga Brothers and Hokiichi Hanawa) that were re-designed and re-printed, likely due to damaged or lost blocks.
2 Robert Schaap notes in Appendix II, p. 166 of Yoshitoshi, Masterpieces from the Ed Freis Collection, Chris Uhlenbeck and Amy Reigle Newland, Hotei Publishing, 2011 that the series originally appeared as newspaper supplements.
3 The World of the Meiji Print: Impressions of a New Civilization, Julia Meech-Pekarik, Weatherhill, 1986, p. 122.
Print Details
IHL Catalog
#2084 Title or Description Nawa Nagatoshi 名和長年 Series “Instructive Models of Lofty Ambition” (Kyodo risshiki 教導立志基) [note: series title also listed as 'Kyodo Risshi no Moto', ‘Kyodo risshi no motoi’, ‘Kyōdō risshi ki’ and variously translated as “Moral of success” or “Foundations of learning and achievement” or “Self-made Men Worthy of Emulation”' or “Examples of Self-made Leaders” or "Paragons of instruction and success"] Artist Mizuno Toshikata (1866-1908)
Signature 
応需年方 ōju Toshikata Seal of the artist Ōsai Toshikata 應齊 年方 seal as shown above Publication Date August 1888 明治廿一年八月 日 [other impressions carry the year Meiji 21] Publisher Matsuki Heikichi (松木平吉) proprietor of Daikokuya Heikichi [Marks: seal not shown; pub. ref. 029]
click on image to enlarge(from right to left)
publishing and printing date: 明治 年八月 日 印刷 出版[Meiji blank year 8th month, printing and publication; other impressions carry the year Meiji 21 廿一]assigned number within series: blank [other impressions carry the number 23 廿三]publisher information: 著印刷兼発行者 両国吉川町二番地 松木平吉 [printer and publisher Ryōgoku Yoshikawachō 2-banchi Matsuki Heikichi] Impression excellent
Colors excellent Condition excellent - almost full size; album backing
Genre ukiyo-e; rishki-e; kyōiku nishiki-e Miscellaneous position 23 in the Table of Contents for the series Format vertical oban
H x W Paper
14 1/2 x 9 15/16 in. (36.8 x 25.2 cm)
H x W Image
14 3/8 x 9 3/4 in. (36.5 x 24.8 cm)
12 9/16 x 8 3/16 in. (31.9 x 20.8 cm) area inside brocade border
Literature Collections This Print
Tokyo Metropolitan Library 280-K029; Tokyo Digital Museum (Edo-Tokyo Museum) 96200384
last revision:1/8/2020
| IHL Catalog | #2084 |
| Title or Description | Nawa Nagatoshi 名和長年 |
| Series | “Instructive Models of Lofty Ambition” (Kyodo risshiki 教導立志基) [note: series title also listed as 'Kyodo Risshi no Moto', ‘Kyodo risshi no motoi’, ‘Kyōdō risshi ki’ and variously translated as “Moral of success” or “Foundations of learning and achievement” or “Self-made Men Worthy of Emulation”' or “Examples of Self-made Leaders” or "Paragons of instruction and success"] |
| Artist | Mizuno Toshikata (1866-1908) |
| Signature | |
| Seal of the artist | Ōsai Toshikata 應齊 年方 seal as shown above |
| Publication Date | August 1888 明治廿一年八月 日 [other impressions carry the year Meiji 21] |
| Publisher | Matsuki Heikichi (松木平吉) proprietor of Daikokuya Heikichi [Marks: seal not shown; pub. ref. 029] (from right to left) publishing and printing date: 明治 年八月 日 印刷 出版 [Meiji blank year 8th month, printing and publication; other impressions carry the year Meiji 21 廿一] assigned number within series: blank [other impressions carry the number 23 廿三] publisher information: 著印刷兼発行者 両国吉川町二番地 松木平吉 [printer and publisher Ryōgoku Yoshikawachō 2-banchi Matsuki Heikichi] |
| Impression | excellent |
| Colors | excellent |
| Condition | excellent - almost full size; album backing |
| Genre | ukiyo-e; rishki-e; kyōiku nishiki-e |
| Miscellaneous | position 23 in the Table of Contents for the series |
| Format | vertical oban |
| H x W Paper | 14 1/2 x 9 15/16 in. (36.8 x 25.2 cm) |
| H x W Image | 14 3/8 x 9 3/4 in. (36.5 x 24.8 cm) 12 9/16 x 8 3/16 in. (31.9 x 20.8 cm) area inside brocade border |
| Literature | |
| Collections This Print | Tokyo Metropolitan Library 280-K029; Tokyo Digital Museum (Edo-Tokyo Museum) 96200384 |
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