Historical characters by Masago Kimiya

Further down this page: About the artist

(April 2008) Masago Kimiya returns with a new series of fantastic portraits of characters from Japanese history...

2000: Nobunaga - battle of Okehazama

Oda Nobunaga (1534 – 1582), famous for his short temper and his military prowess, was the first of the three great warlords involved in the unification of 16th-century Japan, the others being his protégé Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and the first shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu.

This is a fantasy portrait of his first great victory, at the Battle of Okehazama (in present-day Nagoya).

Further reading: start with the Wikipedia article on Nobunaga.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

This puzzle is printed with more ink colours for extra-vivid effect.

In stock
A Beverly puzzle: 2000 pieces; 49 x 72 cm (19" x 28")
Code: BS32503 (S32-503 on box)
Retail price ¥3300 (approx. US$44.59 €34.02 £28.21)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
Buy this puzzle Add to basket
All about ordering (please read first)

2000: Date Masamune, one-eyed dragon

A vivid portrayal of the famous warrior from northern Japan. Date (1567–1636) lost an eye to childhood illness, which gave him his nickname but did not stop him becoming one of the most powerful Daimyo, or regional rulers, of the time.

Wikipedia article on Date Masamune

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

This puzzle is printed with more ink colours for extra-vivid effect.

In stock
A Beverly puzzle: 2000 pieces; 49 x 72 cm (19" x 28")
Code: BS32504 (S32-504 on box)
Retail price ¥3300 (approx. US$44.59 €34.02 £28.21)
Shipping from ¥1100 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$14.86 €11.34 £9.40)
Buy this puzzle Add to basket
All about ordering (please read first)

Masago Kimiya

Born in 1960 in Okayama, western Japan, Masago followed graduation from university in physics by working for the manga artist Terasawa Buichi, a pioneer of computer graphics in manga illustration. Masago went solo in 1989, and has made a career as an illustrator specialising in Chinese historical themes. His latest role is that of costume designer for the blockbuster movie "The Promise" (2006) by the Chinese director Chen Kaige.

Masago is his family name, so he is also known as Kimiya Masago.

Note: The translations of titles are mine.

For reference: you can view all the deleted puzzles by Masago Kimiya in the Attic.