The Horse Race at the Uji River: Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s 1831 Battle Scene

Three mounted warriors struggle through a raging river in Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s dramatic 1831 print of the Battle of Uji. The image draws on a famous incident from 1184, when rivalry, loyalty and the choice of horses mattered enormously. Why did crossing the water become such a memorable test? Explore a medieval Japanese war story transformed into a powerful ukiyo-e scene.