Folding Screen Depicting the Battle at Ichinotani

This folding screen depicts an episode from the Heike Monogatari, an account of the battles between the Taira (Heishi) and the Minamoto (Genji) samurai clans during the end of the 12th century. Folding screens were decorative pieces used to separate rooms and shield against the wind, and this folding screen is the right half of the entire screen. Gold leaf was used in the shape of a fan to depict land. The picture shows Kumagai Naozone (Minamoto Clan) riding a horse and pursuing a young warrior from the Taira Clan, who is trying to escape to the sea. There is a striking contrast of colors when comparing this side of the screen with the left half (pictured separately). It was painted in the first half of the 17th century. Cultural Properties Designated by Saitama Prefecture.