Heroes of the Popular History of the Three Kingdoms, One by One

(Tsûzoku Sangokushi eiyû no ichi-nin, 通俗三国志英雄之壹人)

Publisher: Jôshû-ya Kinzô

1836

Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a Chinese historical novel written in the fourteenth century by Luo Guanzhong about the period between the years 184 and 280 CE. During this turbulent period of history, China was composed of three competing kingdoms–the Wei (also known as Cao Wei), the Han (also known as Shu Han or Shu) and the Wu (also known as Eastern Wu). The prints in this series are each about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban.

	Hero: The scholar and teacher Kômei (孔明) praying for wind at the altar of the Seven Stars Robinson: S10.1 (first state) NOTE: In the first state of this design, the title cartouche (right lower corner) reads Tsûzoku Sangokushi eiyû no ichi-nin, the same as on the other prints from this series. I am grateful to Ward Pieters for locating this image.
	Hero: The scholar and teacher Kômei praying for wind at the altar of the Seven Stars Robinson: S10.1 (second state) NOTE: In the second state of this design, title cartouche reads Wakan buyû kagami instead of Tsûzoku Sangokushi eiyû no ichi-nin.
	Hero: Kwanu grasping his huge glaive and subduing a band of rebels on the steps of a castle Robinson: S10.2
	Hero: Môki Bachô (馬超) killing the mother of Kyûjo of Rekijô after becoming a follower of Gentoku Robinson: S10.3
	Another state of the above print.
	Hero: Chôkô and Chô-un fighting on a hillside partly enveloped by smoke Robinson: S10.4
	Another state without smoke
	Hero: Gentoku (玄徳, future emperor Chao Lieh) and his black horse Tekiro are leaping into the Tan Gorge in order to escape captivity Robinson: S10.5
	This is a later edition of the above print with a simplified design.
	Hero: Hôsen Ryofu (呂布 奉先) mounted with hair and cloths flying spears a fallen foe after the defeat of Sôsô Robinson: S10.6
	Hero: Chôhi (張飛) holding his formidable spear, glares at the enemy from the back of his black horse Robinson: S10.7
	Hero: Shusô and Hôtoku fighting under water Robinson: S10.8
	I am grateful to John Bassett for this alternate state of the above design.
	This is a key block for the above print, courtesy of Horst Graebner. It is an impression pulled from the first woodblock made by a carver from the artist’s original drawing. The artist would write instructions for each color on a separate key block print, and the woodblock for each color was cut using one of these as a guide. Registration marks (kento) are characteristically found on Japanese key block prints. Kento are cut in each woodblock, so that the paper can be properly aligned on each woodblock during printing. Kento are visible in this print’s right lower corner and right upper corner. In addition to being a guide for carving the color woodblocks, the key block was also used to apply black ink (usually) in the printing process.
	Hero: Chô-un (趙雲, Chao Yun) saving Gentoku’s son A Tow at the battle of Ch’ang Fan Kiao in 208 CE Robinson: Not listed NOTE: It is easy to miss A-Tow’s small head directly below Chô-un’s head.
	Hero: Shinwa-Yi (probably) hanging onto a rock in a fast-flowing river Robinson: Not listed

“Robinson” refers to listing in Kuniyoshi: The Warrior-Prints by Basil William Robinson (Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 1982) and its privately published supplement.

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