SUWA YOSHINOBU: A VERY LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE BRONZE FIGURE OF EMPEROR JIMMU, THE FIRST LEADER OF JAPAN By Suwa Yoshinobu, sealed Suwa Yoshinobu Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) Heavily cast, the powerful figure stands holding his bow, a full quiver strung over his back, looking downward as if from a tall mountain as a bird alights on his bow. The robes of the large figure billow in the wind, his sword suspended from his sash belt. His expression is finely detailed with a full beard, piercing eyes, and thick hair, parted in the middle and tied to the sides. Cast with the artist’s seal to the side of his robe SUWA YOSHINOBU. HEIGHT 93 cm WEIGHT 27 kg Condition: Very good condition, minor casting irregularities and typical wear. The string of the bow is replaced. The bird on top of the bow slightly loose. Emperor Jimmu is almost certainly a fictional, mythical figure, with some aspects of his life based on actual events such as the conquest of Osaka and Nara. The Nihol Scoki and Kojii chronicles record an expedition eastward from Hyuga along the inland seas of Japan with Jimmu subduing tribes along the way as he travelled East. The journey ended in Yamato where he established the center of his Empire. He is frequently depicted in Japanese art dressed as a general or carrying a longbow and he is identified by his long beard, proud nose, and benevolent expression.