Battle of the Genji and Heike Forces

Description

Battle of the Genji and Heike Forces
Japan
Momoyama period to early Edo period (1583–1650)
Early 17th century
Six-fold screen, ink, color, and gold on paper
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret
Watson Parker Art Collection Fund, 1964/2.64

During the Genpei War (1180–85), the most famous
battle in Japanese history, the Heike (also known as
Taira) and Genji (also known as Minamoto) clans
struggled to gain control of Kyoto, the Heian-
period (794–1185) capital. Tales of this legendary war
were spread throughout Japan by itinerant monks,
who sang of it while playing the biwa, a stringed
instrument much like a lute. Over the following
centuries, the story was also recorded in what came to
be known as Tales of the Heike. Stories from these tales
became the subjects of Noh and kabuki theater, as
well as many paintings and prints.

Here, the Heike forces, in samurai armor, approach
by ship from the left, while Genji forces rush to
the shore on horseback and on foot. This draws the
viewer’s attention to the center of the composition,
where the confrontation will take place. The Heike
forces can be identified by the red banners on their
ships, while the Genji clan carries white banners. This
combination of colors is seen today in Japan’s flag.

Summer 2024 Gallery Rotation
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Battle of the Genji and Heike Forces

Japan
Momoyama period (1583–1615) to Early Edo period (1615–1868)
Early 17th century
Six-panel folding screen, ink and color on paper
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund, 1964/2.64
 

The most renowned battle in Japanese history took place in the twelfth century, when the Heike (also known as Taira) and Genji (also known as Minamoto) clans struggled to gain control of Kyoto, the Heian-period (794–1185) capital. Tales of this legendary event were spread throughout Japan by itinerant monks, who sang of it while playing the biwa, a stringed instrument much like a lute. Over the following centuries, the story was also recorded in what came to be known as The Tale of Heike, which, along with The Tale of Genji, is among the most famous stories

in all of Japan. These stories became the subjects of Noh and kabuki theater, as well as many paintings and prints.

Here, the Heike forces, in samurai armor, approach by ship from the left, while Genji forces rush to the shore on horseback and on foot. This draws the viewer’s attention to the center of the composition, where the confrontation will take place. The Heike forces can be identified by the red banners on their ships, while the Genji clan carries white banners. This combination of colors is seen today in Japan’s national flag.