Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Title: Nitta Shirö Tadatsune and the White Dragon Ghost (descriptive title)
Date: c. 1843 - 1847
Details: More information...
Source:
Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description:
According to Azuma Kagami, historical records of the Kamakura government compiled in the early 13th century, Minamoto no Yoriie (1182-1204) was hunting on Mount Fuji in 1203 when he heard of a mysterious mountain cave, called hitoana. Yoriie commanded General Nitta Shirö Tadatsune, known for his courage, to investigate the cave. Nitta and five other vassals found and entered it, but encountered a court lady (wearing a white kimono) who told them to leave. A local leader later told Nitta that the cave was the residence of Asama Bodhisattva (also know as Konoya sakuya-hime), and that humans should never enter the sacred space. In the late Edo period, the Fuji religion spread throughout Japan, and such tales of mysterious events on Mount Fuji became popular. "Imagination, Power Humor: The Art of Utagawa Kuniyoshi" 10/14/2010 - 12/19/2010 ****************************************
