![The Tenjin Shrine Scrolls [one of a pair]](https://1.api.artsmia.org/2004.jpg)
The Tenjin Shrine Scrolls [one of a pair]
- Medium
- Ink and color on paper
- Dimensions
- 10 3/16 × 251 7/16 in. (25.88 × 638.7 cm) (image) 15 × 284 5/8 in. (38.1 × 723 cm) (including roller bar/oshedake)
- Genre
- Painting
Tags
Japan
About
Sugawara Michizane (845-903) was a celebrated statesman and scholar during Japan's classic Heian period. In order to undermine Michizane's reputation, his rivals at court falsely accused him of plotting to kill the emperor. As a result, he was exiled to the island of Kyushu where he eventually died. Later, several calamities at court were attributed to Michizane's vengeful spirit. Here, Michizane is shown as the god of thunder in the clouds above. His rage causes the courtiers who conspired against him to be struck by lightning. In order to placate Michizane's ghost, the emperor deified him as the Shinto god Tenjin (Heavenly Being) and dedicated shrines to him in Kyoto and Kyushu.
![The Battle of Ichinotani [right of a pair of Scenes from The Tale of the Heike]](https://1.api.artsmia.org/19590.jpg)
![The Tenjin Shrine Scrolls [one of a pair]](https://1.api.artsmia.org/8643.jpg)
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