絵本源平盛衰記
An 1887 Japanese illustrated book (ehon) compiled by Tsutsumi Kichibei and published by him, retelling the Genpei wars in woodblock-style pictures with columns of kana text beside them. The pages show armoured warriors in battle, mounted fighters amid smoke and flame, and figures in traditional robes on forest paths. A designer could take from them the dense, energetic black-and-white compositions, the strong silhouettes of armour and banners, and the way text columns are set into the picture frame.
