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 left half of the entire screen. The marine blue fan imposed on a background of gold leaf represents the sea. Taira no Atsumori, a young warrior from the Taira Clan, has his back turned while trying to escape to a ship. There is a striking contrast of colors when comparing this side of the screen with the right half (pictured separately). It was painted in the first half of the 17th century. Cultural Properties Designated by Saitama Prefecture.