Mounted archer and courtesan with bow,

ca. 1790

Born into the Hosoda clan, Chōbunsai Eishi was a member of the warrior class—a samurai—and in direct service to the tenth Tokugawa shogun, Tokugawa Ieharu (1737–1786). In 1789, Eishi gave up his samurai rank in order to focus entirely on his career as a painter. He is mostly known for his woodblock print designs of beautiful women, which feature tall, slender figures and richly ornamented garments; male warrior subjects are rare. The subject of this painting is unknown, but it undoubtedly alludes to a literary or historical episode. Eishi’s personal experience with warrior lifestyles may account for his sensitive portrayal of the man’s features.