Antique Japanese Screen Painting with Samurai Battle of Gempei

DescriptionAntique Japanese 6-panel screen painting depicting scenes from the Battle of Gempei and featuring famous warriors of the Taira (Heike) and Minamoto (Genji) clans. The upper right of the screen depicts a scene during the battle of Yashima in which a beautiful lady steps out from the cabin of one of the Taira boats and beckons to the opposing Genji clan. She lifts a fan on a pole high into the air, challenging the warriors on land. Yoshitsune calls forward the young archer, Nasu no Yoichi Munetaka to shoot it down. Nasu no Yoichi rides his horse partially into the waves and, after a prayer, shoots the fan squarely. The upper left of the screen depicts the scene that follows in which one of the Taira boats surges forward to fight the Minamoto warriors. A one-on-one battles commences between Mionoya no Juro and a Taira spear-wielder. Yoshitsune Minamoto and his Genji warriors ride their horses into he sea to fight. The Taira warriors attack those in the water with fighting rakes, knocking away Yoshitsune’s bow. Yoshitsune risks his life to retrieve his weapon so that his enemies can’t recover it. Painted in mineral colors and ink on paper with gold mist.Age: Edo Period (Tokugawa) Period (late 18th century)Dimensions: 67″ high x 148″ wide