Title: Ban Dainagon Emaki (Ban Dainagon Picture Scroll), Circa 1837-1853. An Extremely Rare Emakimono Handscroll on the Ōtemmon Conspiracy, with Partially Painted Compositions, and Rare Yokai Depictions. Countless Figures, over 10 Meters. Second Scroll of Three
Author: After Tokiwa Mitsunaga; Attributed to Yamada Kosetsu; Previously Owned by Miyahara Suiun
Condition: Very Good
An extremely rare Late Edo Period, mid 19th century emakimono handscroll, entitled Ban Dainagon Emaki, or the Ban Dainagon Picture Scroll.
The original manuscript having been produced in the late 12th century after Tokiwa Mitsunaga, the manuscript depicts the events of the Ōtenmon Incident, an event of Japan's early Heian period. Originally taking place in 866, it focuses on the destruction of the main gate (Ōtenmon) of the Official Compound (Chōdō-in) of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, Japan.
Minamoto no Makoto, a member of the powerful Minamoto clan, was accused by his political rival Tomo no Yoshio of having set the fire. However, Makoto had the support of the Daijō-daijin (Chancellor of the Realm) Fujiwara no Yoshifusa and was cleared of the charges. Soon afterwards, a man claiming to have witnessed the event accused Tomo no Yoshio of setting the fire himself, along with his son, and the father and son were exiled. The narrative here is written in a way that implicates Tomo no Yoshio, though emphasises his regret in doing so.
This is the second scroll of three, following the aftermath of the burning of the gate. It showcases 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. There are also several rare paintings of yokai as well, and large army scenes.
After that, they show the suspicions about Tomo no Yoshio burning the gates, though the imagery is rather indirect. It illustrates children arguing and fighting in the streets, later joined by their parents to abuse them and then gossiping amongst themselves about Tomo no Yoshio burning the gates. The artist has gone in great length to draw and paint great crowds of figures.
Interestingly, this is an incomplete example, as while the sketches and drawings are all rather finished, many of the compositions have not been fully painted, or only partially so.
This is a copy of the second of three scrolls, following the Heian Period narrative, with a newer artist flair to it, and very much in the Kano School style.
The emakimono paintings have been attributed to Yamada Kosetsu (1817-1857), a Late Edo Period painter. Kosetsu was the son of Yamada Tosetsu, the latter serving as official painter of the Mikawa Yoshida Domain. After his father's death, he served the Yoshida Domain lords, Nobutaka and Shinsho. A disciple of Kano Shinsho, Kosetsu is said to have worked with his teacher on the renovation of the Nikko Mausoleum. He passed away at the age of 40.
The emakimono also bears the ownership stamp of Miyahara Suiun (? - ?), a Meiji-era Japanese painter and book collector. His given name was Ren, and he was a descendant of Miyahara Itsuhachi, a samurai of the Mikawa Tahara domain. After serving as a section chief in Hamamatsu Prefecture, he devoted himself to collecting antique calligraphy and writing in Tokyo. He also excelled in landscape painting, being a student of the Kishi school in Enshu.
The drawings and paintings have been laid down and bound in a scroll format for preservation, with a red cover, and there are small jikusaki (knobs) made of lacquered wood.
One emakimono (picture scroll) on washi paper, 40.5 x 1030 cm
This emakimono is in very good shape, with minor wear and creasing to the red cover. There is minor soiling and staining throughout, and a small work track to the centre for a portion of the scroll.