Yoshitoshi

Kiyotsune was the grandchild of Kiyomori, the ruthless leader of the Taira clan. After 20 years of ascendency, fate turned on the Taira clan and they were comprehensively defeated by the rival Minamoto clan in the battle at Dannoura in 1185. Kiyotsune had consulted an oracle at Usa and knew of the terrible fate of his clan. He is captured here sitting at the helm of his boat, playing the flute one last time before committing suicide by drowning.

This design is an abbreviated illustration of the famous encounter between Minamoto no Yoshitsune, the most courageous and chivalrous hero of the late 12th-century civil wars, and the warrior-priest Musashibō Benkei. Having been told that he needed the tempered point of 1000 swords in order to make a fine sword for himself, Benkei set out to ‘collect’ swords from warriors who crossed the bridge at Gojō (‘Fifth Avenue’) in Kyoto. When the unsuspecting teenage Yoshitsune came along, Benkei attacked him but was comprehensively beaten, as Yoshitsune had studied martial art with the legendary tengu and was endowed with supreme powers. Yoshitsune is seen here leaping effortlessly into the air to escape Benkei’s attack.

Kojima Takanori (d1358), lord of the Bizen province, was not only known for his bravery but also for his deep knowledge of the Chinese classics. This designs illustrates his famous act of loyalty, which is recorded in the 14th-century chronicle Taiheiki (‘Chronicle of the Great Peace’). Takanori led a small group of loyal retainers to rescue Emperor Go-Daigo, who was sent into exile as a result of a power struggle between the court and the military leaders. Takanori lost his way, but eventually found the inn where the emperor was held. Disguised as a peasant, he carved a Chinese poem alluding to the rescue of an ancient Chinese king on the bark of a cherry tree in front of the inn, knowing that only the emperor would understand the underlying message of hope.

The courtier Tairo no Tadanori was an accomplished poet and warrior. On a moonlit night, he is shown waiting outside the house of his mistress Kiku no Mae. Much to his annoyance, she is inside with a lady visitor. After waiting for a long period, he loudly flicks his fan open and closed to get her attention. She indicates that she knows he is there by telling her visitor, ‘Listen to the sound of insects calling in the field.’ He eventually leaves, disappointed; she, also saddened, sends him a love poem and kimono the next day.