Ban Dainagon Ekotoba
Encyclopedia
is a late 12th century emakimono
(handscroll painting) depicting the events of the Ōtemmon Conspiracy
, an event of Japan's early Heian period
. The painting, attributed to Tokiwa Mitsunaga, is over 20m long and about 31.5cm tall.
It is widely believed that these handscrolls were ordered by the retired emperor Go-Shirakawa (1127-1192, r. 1155-1158) in order to pacify the angry spirit of Tomo no Yoshio after the imperial Ōtenmon burnt down during the large Kyoto fire in 1177. Regardless of whether or not the scroll was made as a result of the fire in 1177, it appears that the intention of the scroll is to mollify Tomo no Yoshio’s angry spirit.
The scroll itself depicts the events of the Ōtenmon conspiracy involving Tomo no Yoshio, which occurred on the tenth day of the third month of 866. Tomo no Yoshio’s regret was emphasized in the scrolls through the written text in an attempt to protect against the vengeful will of Tomo no Yoshio’s spirit.
The full-color painting depicts the events of March 866, in which Ban Dainagon, also known as Tomo no Yoshio
, set fire to the Ōtemmon gate of Kyoto. He then blamed one of his political rivals, Minister of the left
Minamoto no Makoto
for the fire. However, the true culprit was soon discovered, and Tomo no Yoshio was banished to Izu province
.
Stylistically, the scroll is interesting because it is done using a combination of the otoko-e and tsukuri-e styles. Calligraphic lines are used to define figures, which characterizes the otoko-e style used in the shigisan-engi
scroll. However, thick coats of bright colors are used in some scenes, typical of the tsukuri-e style used in the Genji Monogatari Emaki
.
Vol. 2 -- The Second scroll showcased the consolation to Makoto while he is praying to the gods and Buddha despite the fact that he did not do the actions which he was accused of. After that, they showed the suspicions about Tomo no Yoshio burning the gates. This imagery is rather indirect. It illustrates children arguing in the streets, later joined by their parents to abuse them and then gossiping amongst themselves about Tomo no Yoshio burning the gates.
Vol. 3 -- The Third Scroll displays the arrest of Tomo no Yoshio as he is sent to exile. The picture indicates that Tomo no Yoshio had a servant who accidentally revealed the true culprit to the burning of the gate and after being arrested, he confessed to the police about what happened. The women in his mansion seemed morally weakened as they weep while Tomo no Yoshio is being taken to exile by the police in an ox cart.
Emakimono
, often simply called , is a horizontal, illustrated narrative form created during the 11th to 16th centuries in Japan. Emakimono combines both text and pictures, and is drawn, painted, or stamped on a handscroll...
(handscroll painting) depicting the events of the Ōtemmon Conspiracy
Otemmon Conspiracy
The Ōtenmon Conspiracy was an event taking place in 866 and centering around the destruction of the main gate of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, Japan...
, an event of Japan's early Heian period
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
. The painting, attributed to Tokiwa Mitsunaga, is over 20m long and about 31.5cm tall.
It is widely believed that these handscrolls were ordered by the retired emperor Go-Shirakawa (1127-1192, r. 1155-1158) in order to pacify the angry spirit of Tomo no Yoshio after the imperial Ōtenmon burnt down during the large Kyoto fire in 1177. Regardless of whether or not the scroll was made as a result of the fire in 1177, it appears that the intention of the scroll is to mollify Tomo no Yoshio’s angry spirit.
The scroll itself depicts the events of the Ōtenmon conspiracy involving Tomo no Yoshio, which occurred on the tenth day of the third month of 866. Tomo no Yoshio’s regret was emphasized in the scrolls through the written text in an attempt to protect against the vengeful will of Tomo no Yoshio’s spirit.
The full-color painting depicts the events of March 866, in which Ban Dainagon, also known as Tomo no Yoshio
Tomo no Yoshio
Tomo no Yoshio 伴善男 was a counsellor of the state in Japan.-Arson:On the tenth day of the third month of 866, Tomo no Yoshio set fire to the Ōtenmon gate with the intent of placing blame on the minister of the left, the sadajin Minamoto no Makoto. Yoshio was able to convince the minister on the...
, set fire to the Ōtemmon gate of Kyoto. He then blamed one of his political rivals, Minister of the left
Sadaijin
, most commonly translated as "Minister of the Left", was a government position in Japan in the late Nara and Heian periods. The position was consolidated in the Taihō Code of 702. The Asuka Kiyomihara Code of 689 marks the initial appearance of the Sadaijin in the context of a central...
Minamoto no Makoto
Minamoto no Makoto
was the seventh son of the Japanese Emperor Saga, and was the first courtier to be given the name Minamoto. Initially an honorary name given to a number of unrelated courtiers by a number of different Emperors, the Minamoto clan would grow to be an integrated clan family, one of the most powerful...
for the fire. However, the true culprit was soon discovered, and Tomo no Yoshio was banished to Izu province
Izu Province
was a province of Japan in the area of Shizuoka Prefecture. Izu bordered on Sagami and Suruga Provinces. Its abbreviated form name was .The mainland portion of Izu Province, comprising the Izu Peninsula is today the eastern portion of Shizuoka Prefecture and the Izu Islands are now part of...
.
Stylistically, the scroll is interesting because it is done using a combination of the otoko-e and tsukuri-e styles. Calligraphic lines are used to define figures, which characterizes the otoko-e style used in the shigisan-engi
Shigisan-engi
is a scroll painting done in the early 12th century. The story details miracles which were attributed to the Shingon monk Myoren, who resided on Mount Shigi near Nara in Japan in the latter part of the 9th century....
scroll. However, thick coats of bright colors are used in some scenes, typical of the tsukuri-e style used in the Genji Monogatari Emaki
Genji Monogatari Emaki
The , also called The Tale of Genji Scroll, is a pictorial hand scroll of the Japanese literature piece The Tale of Genji. The word emaki comes from the word "emakimono" meaning "picture scrolls".-History:...
.
Plot of the three scrolls
Vol. 1 -- The first scroll illustrates the burning of the Otemmon gate while people tried to put out the flames, followed by the proof that Makoto was unjustly accused of his actions during the misunderstandings.Vol. 2 -- The Second scroll showcased the consolation to Makoto while he is praying to the gods and Buddha despite the fact that he did not do the actions which he was accused of. After that, they showed the suspicions about Tomo no Yoshio burning the gates. This imagery is rather indirect. It illustrates children arguing in the streets, later joined by their parents to abuse them and then gossiping amongst themselves about Tomo no Yoshio burning the gates.
Vol. 3 -- The Third Scroll displays the arrest of Tomo no Yoshio as he is sent to exile. The picture indicates that Tomo no Yoshio had a servant who accidentally revealed the true culprit to the burning of the gate and after being arrested, he confessed to the police about what happened. The women in his mansion seemed morally weakened as they weep while Tomo no Yoshio is being taken to exile by the police in an ox cart.