The Battle at Ichinotani, from The Tale of the Heike (Heike monogatari)
The victory of the Minamoto over the Taira clan, which marked the close of the Heian period (794–1185), was assured by the battle at Ichinotani, along the western shore of Japan, in 1184. Confrontations of warriors around the Taira stronghold are described in the ninth section of the historical chronicle known as The Tale of the Heike (Heike monogatari). In the center of the two left panels is a famous encounter between young Taira Atsumori, fleeing on horse-back into the water, and veteran Minamoto warrior Kumagai Naozane, war fan in hand, who calls Atsumori to return and fight.
Artwork Details
- 一の谷合戦図屏風
- Title: The Battle at Ichinotani, from The Tale of the Heike (Heike monogatari)
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: 17th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: One of a pair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper
- Dimensions: 68 3/4 in. × 11 ft. 1 1/4 in. (174.6 × 338.5 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1989
- Object Number: 1989.283
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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