Taiheki Picture Scroll, Scroll Two

This scroll painting depicts a scene from the Taiheiki, a historical epic written in the 14th century about a period of war in Japan between the Northern Court of Ashikaga Takauji in Kyoto and the Southern Court of Emperor Go-Daigo in Yoshino. This is the second scroll in the first set of twelve volumes and reflects the contents of Chapter 4 to Chapter 7 in the Taiheiki. The story tells of Emperor Go-Daigo, who was captured by the Kamakura Shogunate, being exiled to the Oki Islands and Nitta Yoshisada raising an army in order to bring the emperor back. This scroll depicts two scenes: (1) a pigeon, which flew into and extinguished a fire nightlight at Enrakuji Temple, being eaten by a weasel and (2) Hojo Takatoki enraptured in dancing with spirits from the underworld. It was painted in the first half of the 17th century. Cultural Properties Designated by Saitama Prefecture.