Woodblock print in colours (triptych), 36,7 x 76 cm overall, ca 1843 - 1846. Depicting a dramatic scene from the life of the legendary samurai Kusunoki Masashige, bidding farewell to his eleven-year-old son Masatsura before the Battle of Minatogawa. Seated on a folding stool, Kusunoki raises a cup of sake as his son presents him with a scroll, while his solemnly assembled retainers look on. Ordered by Emperor Go-Daigo to lead his troops into battle, Kusunoki faced a vastly superior enemy force and near-certain defeat. Following the battle, he and his remaining men chose death rather than surrender. Each warrior is identified by a name cartouche. PROVENANCE The collection of Dr Eugen Milch (1889-1958), Austrian physician and artist. During the First World War he practiced as a medical officer. Milch was a true globetrotter - in the early 1920s, he travelled across Europe on a combined study and painting tour. In 1924, he married Emma Bormann, and the couple visited Sweden that same year. Together with the artist Oskar Bergman, they exhibited a number of paintings at Liljevalchs in Stockholm. In 1937, Eugen left for China with other Austrian physicians at the invitation of the Chinese government, and was joined by his wife two years later. The initial posting didn’t materialize, but in 1938 he became superintendent of a hospital in Beihai, China. In 1941, when Japanese forces occupied part of the South China coast, including Beihai, the Milch family managed to move to Shanghai. While in China, Eugen and Emma decided to separate. Eugen went on to assist British forces in China, for which he was awarded British citizenship. Continuing his travels, he went to Japan to study the aftermath of the war, and this is where he probably acquired the present collection of Japanese woodblock prints. He died in Hong Kong in 1958. Thence by descent within the family. Condition: Sheets adhered. Some age-related wear and surface dirt. Colours overall in good condition. For any questions, please contact lisa.mejeritcher@stockholmsauktionsverk.com. Category: Asiatica/Other Estimate: 3000 SEK