National Treasure Gallery: “The Emperor Escapes to Rokuhara” from
The Illustrated Tale of Heiji
The Illustrated Tale of Heiji
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“The Emperor Escapes to Rokuhara” from "The Illustrated Tale of Heiji" (detail)
Kamakura period, 13th century (National Treasure, Gift of Mr. Matsudaira Naoaki)Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 2
September 22, 2025 (Mon) - October 26, 2025 (Sun)In 1159, Japan experienced a historic civil war known as the Heiji Rebellion. Two powerful samurai clans, the Taira and Minamoto, clashed for political control of the imperial capital Kyoto. This conflict was a turning point, contributing to the rise of the samurai and the decline of imperial authority.
A handscroll titled The Illustrated Tale of Heiji depicts these events in vivid detail. In the scene shown here, Minamoto forces hold the emperor captive in the Imperial Palace as they plot to seize power. The rival Taira clan mounts a daring rescue, disguising the emperor as a noblewoman and spiriting him away in a royal oxcart. The scroll’s meticulous linework and richly expressive figures suggest it was painted by the leading artists of the time, though their identities remain unknown.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | National Treasure | “The Emperor Escapes to Rokuhara” from "The Illustrated Tale of Heiji" | Kamakura period, 13th century | Gift of Mr. Matsudaira Naoaki, A-9976 |