Narrative Picture Scroll of Gosannen Civil War

This illustrated handscroll portrays a war that took place in the Tōhoku region during the late-Heian period, in the late-11th century. It depicts a battle fought between members of the powerful Kiyohara clan and the intervention of the military commander Minamoto no Yoshiie. Minamoto no Yoshiie was the ancestor of Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura Shogunate, and of Ashikaga Takauji, the founder of the Ashikaga Shogunate. This scroll is the third of three surviving scrolls. In it, the army of Minamoto no Yoshiie launches an attack on the fortress held by the Kiyohara clan and finally captures it. The scroll stands out due to its sheer size. It measures approximately 45 cm from top to bottom, making it large even by the standards of illustrated handscrolls.

The figures in the scroll are correspondingly large, and even their expressions are clearly visible. Also note the use of color. The battle scenes are nimbly depicted using bright colors. This use of color is typical of illustrated handscrolls from the Nanbokuchō period (1333–1392), in the latter half of the 14th century. This scroll also records the date of its production (1347) and the names of the illustrator and calligraphers who produced it. Few works from the period can be traced to their creators, making this a valuable work. The plot of this illustrated scroll is known to have been drafted by Gen’e, a monk from Mount Hiei. Viewing this scroll in the knowledge that it is a depiction of battle from the perspective of a non-samurai may add to its enjoyment.

— Museum description: Tokyo National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.