Katada Bay moon - Saitō Kuranosuke, from the series One hundred aspects of the moon

Saitō Kuranosuke was a retainer of the 16th-century warlord Akechi Mitsuhide. In 1582, after Mitsuhide’s forces attacked and killed Oda Nobunaga, the most powerful military leader at the time, they had to flee to escape retribution. Kuranosuke sought refuge at the house of his old nurse in Katada Bay, north-east of Kyoto. He is seen here looking cautiously over his shoulder to see whether he was followed. The straw sandals worn by his horse clearly indicate they are travelling in secrecy. Kuranosuke was eventually found by the enemy’s troupe and executed. His story became famous as the kabuki play 'Katada ochi' (‘Escape to Katada’).