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Paramount Han Xin (Kanshin), One of the Three Heroes of the Han Dynasty

 

 Japanese Color Woodblock Print

Paramount Han Xin (Kanshin),

One of the Three Heroes of the Han Dynasty

by Tsukioka Kōgyo, 1893

Congratulations and Long Life Prince Yoshihito and Princess Sadako


IHL Cat. #2365

About This Print

This print illustrates an incident, as described below, from the life of Han Xin (231 BC-196 BC), a Chinese military general and politician who served Liu Bang (founder of the Han dynasty) during the Chu–Han Contention and contributed greatly to the founding of the Han dynasty. Han Xin was named as one of the "Three Heroes of the early Han dynasty" (Chinese: 漢初三傑), along with Zhang Liang and Xiao He.1

"In those days, people practicing martial arts, like Han Xin, would often carry around a sword. One day he was stopped by a local thug who demanded that Han Xin kill him with his sword. If he could not do so, then Han Xin would have to crawl between his legs. Han Xin considered the proposition and then proceeded to crawl between the legs.

He reasoned that, otherwise, he would have to face the death penalty for taking a life. The bystanders exploded with laughter, but Han Xin was not fazed. Later in life, he always reminded himself of this incident and used it to encourage himself. To this day, this story of Han Xin’s example of forbearance continues to win the admiration of people who read about him."2

2 Website of Vision Times https://www.visiontimes.com/2020/06/10/general-han-xin-a-shining-symbol-of-tolerance2.html [Vision Times has been linked to Falun Gong and various far-right causes]

Print Details

 IHL Catalog #2365
 Title or Description Paramount Han Xin (Kanshin), One of the Three Heroes of the Han Dynasty
 漢三傑之一 准陰韓信
 Series 
 Artist 
 Tsukioka Kōgyo (1869-1927)
 Signature 
耕漁 Kōgyo [first two characters unread]
 Seal 耕漁 Kōgyo, as shown above
 Date January 1893
明治卄六年一月 日 印刷 printing [as printed on publisher's seal below]
明治卄六年一月 日出版 publication [as printed on publisher's seal below]
 Publisher
Yazawa Hisakichi 矢沢久吉 [Marks: pub. ref. 620; seal no shown] 

address: 
深川区万年町二丁目三番地
Fukugawa Mannenchō Nichōme 12-banchi

 Carver 
 Printer 
 Impression excellent
 Colors excellent
 Condition good - trimmed; backed; three separate sheets; minor soiling and toning
 Genre ukiyo-e
 Miscellaneous  
 Format vertical oban triptych
 H x W Paper right sheet: 14 11/16 x 9 7/8 in. (37.3 x 25.1 cm)
 center sheet: 14 5/8 x 9 7/8 in. (37.1 x 25.1 cm)
 left sheet: 14 9/16 x 9 13/16 in. (37 x 24.9 cm)
 H x W Image right sheet: 14 1/8 x 9 5/8 in. (35.9 x 24.4 cm)
 center sheet: 14 3/16 x 9 7/16 in. (36 x 24 cm)
 left sheet: 14 1/16 x 9 7/16 in. (35.7 x 24 cm)
 Collections This Print 
 Reference Literature 
last revision:
7/1/2021 created