Sato Tadanobu Sankan Zu

This ninong-ga painting by Mizuno Toshikata, Sato Tadanobu Sankan Zu (“Sato Tadanobu Visiting his Master's Mansion”), was painted on silk and mounted on a hanging scroll. It was shown at the first exhibition by the Nihonga-kai art group in 1898 and presented as a gift to the Imperial Family, and it is now part of the Imperial Household collection.

Toshikata’s dramatic painting depicts a scene from the Gikeiki, known as the Chronicle of Yoshitsune in English, set in the 15th century. Set after the events of The Tale of the Heike, the Gikeiki focuses on the legends of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, one of the most famous samurai of the time. Eventually betrayed by a close ally, Yoshitsune resorted to committing seppuku at his residence, which was besieged by enemy soldiers.

The subject of this painting is a scene from sixth volume of the Gikeiki, titled Tadanobu saigo no koto (“Tadanobu’s Last Deeds”) It shows Satō Tadanobu, who, pursued by enemies, finally arrived at the residence of his lord, Minamoto no Yoshitsune. He laments his lord’s misfortune, bowing to his armor, helmet, bow and arrows laid out to protect the mansion from evil spirits.

Toshikata was an artist who meticulously researched the historical periods he depicted, collecting antique weapons and armor as references. He also co-founded the Rekishi Fūzoku Gakai (“Society for Historical Genre Painting”) with Imperial Household Artist Kobori Tomoto and historical scholar Seki Yasunosuke, to work with experts and like-minded artists.