UTAGAWA KUNISADA (1786–1865)

Momotaro and Kaidomaru were two youths of prodigious strength. Momotaro is identified by the peaches on his garment (he was known as “The Peach Boy”) and the pheasant umpiring the match is a reference to the companions Momotaro makes early in his career: a monkey, dog and pheasant. A bear officiates on Kaidomaru’s side, which is also a reference to the animals he befriends in the forest.

For the same triptych in the collection of the National Diet Library, go to:
https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1313554?tocOpened=1=info:ndljp/pid/1313554&__lang=en